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Table of Content

    06 August 2010, Volume 29 Issue 08
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    Articles
    Modeling diameter distribution of primary broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest in Changbai Mountains.
    2010, 29(08):  1477-1481. 
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    Two 1-ha plots were set up in an old-growth broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest in Changbai Mountains, Northeast China, and the Weibull function, negative exponential function, and constant ratio q were used to model the diameter distribution. In the two plots, the diameter distribution of the trees all exhibited inverse J-shape, which meant that understory regeneration was relatively good. Both Weibull and negative exponential functions were suitable for modeling the diameter distribution in primary broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest, but Weibull function could better predict the number of big trees, compared with negative exponential function. The diameter q values of the two plots were small, being 1.74 and 1.45, respectively, which meant that the slope of diameter distribution was quite mild and there were many big trees in the plots. The constant ratio q was better for expressing the diameter-density of broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest, being possible to be used to describe the diameter distribution of broadleaf-Korean pine mixed forest.
    Temperature suitability and its change trend of Cinnamomum camphora in subtropical China.
    2010, 29(08):  1482-1487. 
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    By using temperature suitability model, this paper calculated, evaluated, and predicted the temperature suitability and its spatiotemporal differences
     of Cinnamomum camphora in subtropical China between 1960 and 2005. Spatially, the temperature suitability of C. camphora could be divided into four areas, i.e., high suitability, suitability, low suitability, and no suitability. In eastern subtropics, the temperature suitability of C. camphora decreased gradually from south to north; while in western subtropics, there was a large area of no suitability. Temporally, the temperature suitability of C.camphora had an increasing trend over time, and the area of temperature suitability was expanding northward. The analysis of the trend rate and variability of the temperature suitability showed that C. camphora was more suitable to be planted in southern subtropics and not suitable in western subtropics, and would be suitable in northernsubtropics.
    Effects of topdressing nitrogen fertilization on the concentration and storage of major nutrients in eucalyptus leaves.  
    2010, 29(08):  1488-1492. 
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    A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of topdressing nitrogen on the concentrations and storage of major nutrients and their internal and external fluxes in  Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis  leaves. The mass loss of the fallen leaves was 26%, and thus, to characterize the nutrients concentration by per unit mass was not correspondent with reality, while the nutrients concentration per unit area was a correct characterization. Comparing with those in living leaves, the ash and organic matter contents in fallen leaves decreased by 33% and 25%, respectively, suggesting that some hydrolyzable organic matter was transferred back to the trees before leaf fallen. The nitrogen use efficiency of eucalyptus leaves was up to 44%, showing the luxury absorption of N. The trunk and branch recovered more than 70% of N, P, and K in fallen leaves, indicating that the three elements were mainly cycled in internal flux. Calcium was mainly in external flux, with the scale being about 90%. The internal fluxes of Mg, Si, and ash were almost the same, and their external flux scale was slightly higher than their internal flux scale.
    Influence of Panax notoginseng continuous cropping on seed germination and seedling growth of the plant.  
    2010, 29(08):  1493-1497. 
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    A pot experiment was conducted to explore the influence of Panax notoginseng continuous cropping on the seed germination and seedling growth of the plant. Under continuous cropping, the maximum seed germination speed of P. notoginseng increased, germination vigor changed little, while the germination rate, germination index, and fast germination stage decreased, compared with those under 1-year cropping. The seed germination vigor, germination rate, and germination index in root region soil and under-root region soil decreased significantly, and the maximum germination speed also decreased, compared with those in outerroot region soil. The 1-year P. notoginseng-cropped soil had no obvious obstacle effect on the seedling growth of followed cropped P. notoginseng, but the 2-year P. notoginseng-cropped soil had stronger inhibitory effect than the 3-year P. notoginseng-croppedsoil. Our results suggested that P. notoginseng continuous cropping could produce obstacle effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of the plant, and autotoxicosis could be one of the main reasons that led to the P. notoginseng continuous cropping obstacle.
    Photosynthetic characteristics of Radermachera sinica and Alchornea trewioides in karst regions of Northwest Guangxi, China in dry and rainy seasons.
    2010, 29(08):  1498-1504. 
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    By using portable Li-6400 photosynthesis system, this paper studied the gas exchange in Radermachera sinica and Alchornea trewioides leaves in karst regions of Northwest Guangxi in rainy season (June, July, and August, 2009) and dry season (October, November, and December, 2009), and analyzed the relationships between leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn) and leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll contents. In both dry and rainy seasons, the diurnal changes of the two species leaf Pn, transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (Gs) were all in single peak, but that of water use efficieny (WUE) was not significant. The leaf Pn, Tr, Gs, and nitrogen and chlorophyll contents were higher in rainy season than in dry season, but the WUE was in adverse, suggesting that the plants could decrease the Gs to limit evaporation and increase WUE to adapt stress environment. In the same seasons, A. trewioides had stronger photosynthetic and water use capabilities than R. sinica, because the leaf Pn, WUE, and nitrogen and chlorophyll contents of A. trewioides were all higher, suggesting that A. trewioides could be more competitive than R. sinica in the karst regions of Northwest Guangxi. The two plant species in same seasons and the same plant species in different seasons had different correlations between Pn and environmental factors, and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was the dominant factor affecting Pn.
    Seed germination characteristics of 11 Berberis species from eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
    2010, 29(08):  1505-1510. 
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    This paper examined the seed germination characteristics of 11 Berberis species from the eastern part of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, with their relations to seed size and altitude analyzed. Among the 11 species, only 5 species (B. wisoniae, B. aggregate, B. diaphana, B. polyantha, and B. vernae) had a seed germination percentage higher than 50% and  B. wisoniae  had the highest one (86.7%), 2 species (B. veitchii and B. silva) had no a seed germination all the time, while the others had a seed germination percentage lower than 10%. The 11 species began to germinate after 10 days, and  B. vernae germinated over the longest period (40 days). The seed germination percentage, germination rate, and germination duration were significantly negatively correlated with seed size and weakly positively correlated with altitude, while the initial germination time was significantly positively related to seed size and weakly negatively related to altitude.
    Field replacement control of Flaveria bidentis with three forage species.
    2010, 29(08):  1511-1518. 
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    A replacement field experiment was conducted to study the relative competitiveness between three native annual forage species (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense, Medicago sativa and Cichorium intybus), and Flaveria bidentis, a new exotic weed invader in North China. To evaluate the competitive responses of target plants and the competitive effects of neighbors, the pairwise plant combinations with F. bidentis were established in plots in five replacement proportion levels (monoculture of forage species and F. bidentis, and mixed culture of forage species and F. bidentis with the proportions of 1∶1, 1.5∶1, and 2∶1, respectively). The results showed that the canopy density of the three forage species increased with replacement proportion, and the growth of F. bidentis was inhibited to different degrees. Of the three forage species, S. bicolor × S. sudanense had superior competitive ability over F. bidentis, because of its earlier emergence and more coverage, and thus, controlled F. bidentis completely, with an inhibition rate of 100% based on biomass production, irrespective of the proportions employed. As for the mixed culture with M. sativa and C. intybus, the aboveground biomass and plant height of F. bidentis were significantly reduced, and the medium replacement proportion (1.5∶1) of the two forage species was the optimal, with the inhibition rate of F. bidentis aboveground biomass and plant height being 87.7% and 96.2%, respectively,compared with the monoculture control. Under the competition with the three forage species, the relative yield of F. bidentis was less than 1.0, indicating that the intraspecific competition of F. bidentiswas more intense than interspecific competition, and thus, this weed invader was effectively suppressed. All the results suggested that establishing these forage species could be a practical technique for restoring or maintaining the biological diversity on the sites having been invaded or easily to be invaded by F. bidentis.
    Community succession of floodplain wetland plants at north end of Kanas Lake, Xinjiang.
    2010, 29(08):  1519-1525. 
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    An investigation was made on the plant communities in the floodplain wetlands at north end of Kanas Lake, Xinjiang. The dynamics of plant community succession was studied by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) ordination technique, and the dynamics of species diversity in the community succession was analyzed by using Shannon diversity index, Margalef’s richness index, Simpson’s diversity index, and Pielou’s evenness index. The relationships between species diversity and soil factors were also analyzed by detrended canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA). In the study region, the plant community succession was in the sequence of Carex melanostachya→Poa sibirica→Potentilla fruticosa→Betula humilis→ Picea obovata. Along with the succession process, the species dominance increased significantly, while the species diversity decreased after an initial increase, with a peak at the phase of community Potentilla fruticosa. There was a significant negative correlation between species dominance and soil water content.
    Quantitative classification and ordination of low-altitudinal tropical forests in Bawangling, Hainan Island.
    2010, 29(08):  1526-1532. 
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    In order to understand the community types of low-altitudinal tropical forests in Bawangling of Hainan Island, a field investigation was conducted at 21 sampling plots, and the quantitative classification and ordination on the community types were made by using two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), principal components analysis (PCA), and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). Based on TWINSPAN, the forest communities in Bawangling were classified into 3 types, i.e., tropical lowland rainforest (plots 9-12), transformed monsoon rainforest (plots 1-8), and tropical monsoon rainforest (plots 13-21). Same results were obtained by PCA and DCA ordination, which basically reflected the relationships between forest communities and environmental factors. Tropical lowland rainforest was positively correlated with altitude and litter depth, tropical monsoon rainforest was positively correlated with slope and the coverage of exposed rock surface, while transformed monsoon rainforest had somewhat different correlations with environmental factors. The results of DCA ordination also indicated that transformed monsoon rainforest was a transitional community type between tropical lowland rainforest and tropical monsoon rainforest.
    Survival rates of Frankliniella occidentalis and Frankliniella intonsa after exposure to adverse temperature conditions.
    2010, 29(08):  1533-1537. 
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    A comparative study was made on the survival rates of invasive pest Frankliniella occidentalis and indigenous pest Frankliniella intonsa at their different development stages after exposure to high and low temperatures. After 2 and 4 hours exposure to high temperatures (36 ℃, 38 ℃, 40 ℃, 42 ℃, and 44 ℃), the survival rates of the two pests at their different development stages decreased with increasing temperature, but F. occidentalis at the same high temperatures had a higher survival rate than F. intonsa. After 2 and 4 hours exposure to low temperatures (-2 ℃, -4 ℃, -6 ℃, -8 ℃, and -10 ℃), the survival rates of the two pests at their different development stages decreased with decreasing temperature, but the survival rate of F. occidentalis at the same low temperatures was also higher than that ofF. intonsa. The results indicated that the adaptation capabilities of the two pests to high and low temperature were significantly different. F. intonsa was more sensitive, while F. occidentalis was more adaptable to adverse temperature.
    Anatomical structure of Carex lasiocarpa leaves at different habitats in Sanjiang Plain.
    2010, 29(08):  1538-1541. 
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    By using paraffin cut section method, the anatomical characters of Carex Lasiocarpa leaves collected from different habitats in Sanjiang Plain were observed under microscope, and the thickness of silica layer, diameter of conduit, and thickness of ensheathing cell were measured. The C. Lasiocarpa leaves collected from different habitats had the same anatomical structure,i.e., all composed of epidermis, mesophyll, and vascular bundle. The waterlogged depth in the environment had definite effects on the leaf anatomical structure. The thickness of silica layer and of ensheathing cell had definite negative correlation with waterlogged depth, and the diameter of conduit was significantly negatively correlated with the waterlogged depth.
    Responses of Oligostachyum lubricum phenotypic plasticity to the changes of stand density.
    2010, 29(08):  1542-1547. 
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    In order to supply theoretical references for establishing high-yield stand density of Oligostachyum lubricum, an excellent ornamental and edible shoot bamboo species in summer and autumn, an investigation was made on the ramet components at four stand densities (17500-27500 stems·hm-2, D1; 37500-42500 stems·hm-2, D2; 55000-62500 stems·hm-2, D3; and 72500-82500 stems·hm-2, D4), and the obtained data were analyzed by principal component analysis. With the increase of stand density, the diameter at breast-height (DBH) and the internode length with the same DBH varied in the shapes of “∧” and “∨”, with the extreme value at D3 and D2, respectively. The crown width and the round of branches with the same DBH varied in “∨” shape, with the minimum value at D2, while the branch length and the incomplete branch rate varied in shapes of  inverse “N”, respectively, with the minimum value at D3. The leaf area index varied in “∧” shape, with the maximum value at D3. There was a positive correlation between area per leaf and stand density. No significant differences were observed in the total height, wall thickness at breast height, height under branch, angle between branch and stem, dry weight per leaf, and specific leaf area among D1, D2, D3, and D4. Principal component analysis indicated that the phenotypic characteristics of O. lubricum were most closely correlated with ramet stem, followed by with twig, and foliage. Through path analysis, the phenotypic comprehensive score was in the order of D3>D4>D2>D1. It was considered that at the current DBH of ramets in experimental forest, D3 was the threshold density value between the cost and benefit of physiological integration, and the best stand density for planting O. lubricum.
    Alleviative effects of chlorocholine chloride on acid rain stress to Myrica rubra cv. Dongkui.
    2010, 29(08):  1548-1553. 
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    In this paper, chlorocholine chloride was sprayed on 7-year old Myrica rubra cv. Dongkui after 1-week simulated acid rain (pH 3.5) stress, aimed to study the alleviative effects of chlorocholine chloride on the acid rain stress to the floral bud formation and differentiation of the plant. Spraying low concentration chlorocholine chloride promoted the leaf superoxidase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities, alleviated the peroxidation of membrane lipid, decreased the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the relative permeability of cell membrane, and thus, enhanced the leaf resistance to acid rain. Meanwhile, chlorocholine chloride eased the degradation of chlorophyll and carotenoid, increased the transpiration, stomatal conductance, and net photosynthetic rate remarkably, and accordingly, increased the leaf soluble protein and sugar contents and promoted the floral bud differentiation and blooming and fruit-setting rates.
    Correlations of heavy metal contents in cave animals and in environment in Danyan cave of Guangxi.
    2010, 29(08):  1554-1558. 
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    In July 2007, an investigation was made on the mollusks, arthropods, and chordates in the Dayan cave of Guangxi Province. A total of 3324 specimens of the cave animals were collected, belonging to 26 families, 30 genera, and 50 species. Among these specimens, Diestrammen, Fruticicolidae, Araneida, and Amphibia occupied 3052 totally, belonging to 42 species. The contents of Fe, Cu, Cd, Pb, Hg and As in these four groups of cave animals and in the water and soil samples from the cave were determined, and the enrichment coefficients of the heavy metals for these four animal groups were calculated. In the water and soil samples, the content of Mn was the highest, being 6.75 mg·L-1in water and 2112 mg·kg-1 in soil. Among the four animal groups, Diestrammena, Fruticicolidae and Amphibia had the highest content of Mn (45.3 mg·kg-1, 858 mg·kg-1, and 254 mg·kg-1, respectively), while Araneida had the highest content of Cu (79 mg·kg-1). Except that the enrichment coefficient of Fe from water for Diestrammena was <1000, the enrichment coefficients of the heavy metals from water for all the four groups were >1000. The four animal groups could also enrich soil Pb, Cd and Hg, with the enrichment coefficients being >1. For the same groups of test animals, the enrichment coefficients of the heavy metals differed; and for the same species of test heavy metals, their enrichment by different groups of the animals also differed. Correlation analysis showed that the accumulation of the heavy metals in the test animals was positively correlated with the contents of the heavy metals in environment. The enrichment of the heavy metals by the cave animals was not only affected by the synergistic and antagonistic effects among the heavy metals, but also closely related to the contents of the heavy metals in the cave water and soil.
    Effects of ecological nursing on arthropod community structure and biodiversity in orange orchards in mountain area of Zhejiang Province, China.
    2010, 29(08):  1559-1565. 
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    By the methods of sweep net, visual measurement, and hand catch, this paper studied the population structure and biodiversity of arthropods in the ecological nursing area and conventional management area of orange orchards in mountain area of Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 2851 individuals belonging to 2 classes, 11 orders, 60 families and 143 species in ecological nursing area and a total of 2311 individuals belonging to 2 classes, 11 orders, 50 families and 99 species in conventional management area were collected, respectively. Compared with those in conventional management area, the numbers and kinds of predatory, parasitic, and neutral arthropod sub-communities in ecological nursing area increased by 83.5%-330.7% and 123.9%-168%, respectively, and the dominant populations of predatory, parasitic, and neutral sub-communities increased while those of phytophagous sub-community had somewhat decrease. From March to October, the population dynamics of these sub-communities in ecological nursing area were relatively stable. The numbers of citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) and citrus aphid (Toxoptera citricidus) were always lower, while the number of citrus whitefly (Dialeurodes citri) was in reverse. Except that of phytophagous sub-community, the relative richness (Pi) of other sub-communities in ecological nursing area was all higher, and the dominant concentration degree (C) was all lower. The Shannon index (H) of total community, and of predatory, neutral and phytophagous sub-communities in ecological nursing area was higher than that in conventional management area, respectively, while the H of parasitic sub-community was 0.56 lower. Hill diversity indices N1 and N2 had the similar trend with H. The evenness index (J) of total community, and of neutral and phytophagous sub-communities in ecological nursing area was 0.01-0.21 higher than that in conventional management area, while the J of predatory and parasitic sub-communities was 0.03-0.04 lower. It was concluded that ecological nursing increased the diversity and stability of arthropod community in orange orchards, being an important means for sustainable pest management and citrus safety production.
    Community characteristics of soil ciliates in Mawushan Mountain of Pingliang, Gansu.
    2010, 29(08):  1566-1572. 
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    From August 2007 to October 2008, an investigation was made on the community characteristics of soil ciliates in different habitats in Mawushan Mountain of Gansu Taitong-Kongtongshan National Nature Reserve. A total of 69 species belonging to 37 genera of 27 families from 10 orders of 3 classes were identified, including one unnamed species and one new record in China. There were 35 species distributed in coniferous forest, 28 species in Hippophae rhamnoides shrubland, 42 species in the ecotone of H. rhamnoides shrubland and grassland, and 20 species in cropland. Colpodida, Prostomatida and Hypotrichida were the dominant orders, and Homalogastra setosa, Cinetochilum margaritaceum, Nassulida elegans, Sathrophilus muscorum, Euplotes muscicola, and Uroleptus lepisma were the dominant species. The Gleason-Margalef species diversity index in four different habitats was 4.54, 3.55, 4.94, and 2.63, respectively. The study showed that under different soil and vegetation types, the species diversity and community structure of soil ciliates had significant differences, and the community structure of soil ciliates tended to be simplified with increasing human activities.
    Toxic effects of surfactants CTAC and STAB on Scenedesmus quadricauda.
    2010, 29(08):  1573-1577. 
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    A laboratory test was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of surfactants cetanecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC) and stearyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (STAB) on the growth, protein, chlorophyll, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of Scenedesmus quadricauda, with the toxicological mechanism of the surfactants analyzed. Both CTAC and STAB inhibited the growth of S.quadricauda ,and the toxicity of STAB was higher than that of CTAC. In the first 4 days CTAC-and STAB exposure, the protein and chlorophyll contents and SOD activity of S. quadricauda decreased after an initial increase, while the MDA content decreased constantly. According to the dosage-effect relations, it was deduced that the toxic effects of the surfactants on S. quadricauda were probably due to the changes of cell membrane permeability and the overload of reactive oxygen species.
    Impact of fishing on fishery ecosystem: A case study in Changshan archipelago area.
    2010, 29(08):  1578-1584. 
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    In order to evaluate the comprehensive impact of fishing on fishery ecosystem, and to establish a decision support system for the protection and management of this ecosystem, an impact evaluation model of fishing on fishery ecosystem was constructed, based on the PSR (pressure-state-response) model and by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The constructed model included 3 hierarchies and 9 indices (quantity of fishing vessels, fishing pressure index, fish catches, bottom fish rate, fish trophic level, single weight of dominant fish species, economic fish catches, diversity index, and evenness index), and applied to quantitatively evaluate the fishery ecosystem in Changshan archipelago area, based on the investigation data in 1987-1988 and 2006-2007. The results indicated that with the increasing fishing pressure in past twenty years, the ecosystem structure and function in study area shifted drastically, with the biomass of long-lived, high trophic level, and piscivorous fishes declined while short-lived and small fishes dominated gradually. According to the model and the degradation rate such as fish resources (4.75%), bottom fish rate (3.64%), fish trophic level (0.31%), single weight of dominant fish species (4.28%), economic fish catches 2.32%), diversity index (0.39%) and evenness index (1.14%), the fishery ecosystem health index (0.34) was below the evaluation grade III, showing that the fishery ecosystem in Changshan archipelago area was in unhealthy state in past twenty years.
    Seasonal variations of fish community structure in Lishui section of Oujiang River main stream.
    2010, 29(08):  1585-1590. 
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    In this paper, the dynamic variations of the fish community as well as the dominance, diversity index, and community structure of main fish species in the Lishui section (28°16′47.03″N-28°24′42.66″N, 119°42′31.41″E-119°57′13.03″E) of Oujiang River main stream were analyzed, based on the fish resources survey in March (spring), June (summer), September (autumn), and December (winter), 2009. There were 47 species of fishes, belonging to 5 orders, 12 families and 34 genera. Comparing with that in 1972, the fish species number in 2009 was decreased by 28.8%. A total of 8 dominant species, i.e., Distpechodon tumirostris, Sinibrama macrop, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, Hemobarbus labeo, Leiocassis taeniatus, Pelteobagrus vachelli, Acrossocheilus wenchowensis, and Cyprinus carpio were detected, of which, D. tumirostris and S. macrops were dominant across 4 seasons, and the others were only dominant in one of 4 seasons. The dominance of the fish community varied from 0.578 to 0.747, being the highest in winter. The variation range of Margalef index (D), Shannon index (H), and Pielou index (J) was 2-4, 1-2, and 0.3-0.6, respectively, suggesting that the diversity and abundance of the fish community were at normal level. The seasonal turnover index and migration index showed that the fish community had obvious seasonal change, and the Jaccard index and Sorenson index indicated that the similarity of the fish community in 3 habitats was moderately dissimilar.
    Spatial pattern change of Jinan City based on landscape metrics and moving window method.
    2010, 29(08):  1591-1598. 
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    Based on high resolution remote sensing data, and by using the methods of moving window, transformation matrices, and gradient analysis, this paper quantitatively analyzed the spatial patterns and change characteristics of the land use types, especially of built-up area, in Jinan City in 1996-2009. The analysis was implemented with ArcGIS and FRAGSTATS platforms, and the landscape metrics was taken as the assessment indicator. Among the methods used, moving window could better explore the processes of land use change, and better link these processes with the changes of land use pattern. In the study period, the urban built-up area in the city increased rapidly, while the green space and agricultural land decreased significantly. The expansion of the built-up area was anisotropic, and the built-up area was structured as an irregular concentric cycle, which was closely related to the policy guideline of urban development, agreeableness of urban green spaces, and unique urban topography there. This study would benefit urban land use planning and natural resources management and protection.
    Landscape ecological evaluation of urban greenland system in Shenyang.
    2010, 29(08):  1599-1604. 
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    Based on the landscape ecological principles and methods, and using eight landscape pattern indices (landscape diversity index, evenness degree index, separation index, isolation index, fractal dimension index, and connectivity index, etc.), this paper analyzed the urban greenland landscape pattern in Shenyang. Overall, the green space had a lower proportion, its distribution was disproportional, and the structure of greenland system wasn’t reasonable. The separation index was high, the fractal dimension was low, the landscape types were rather complete, the evenness degree was low, and the isolation index was small. Aiming at these problems, some suggestions on the ecological planning of urban greenland landscape in Shenyang were put forward.
    Distribution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of manganese in multi-media environment in river watershed areas of Shenyang.
    2010, 29(08):  1605-1611. 
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    In order to understand the distribution characteristics and potential ecological risk of manganese (Mn) in the main river watershed areas of Shenyang, the samples of surface water, groundwater, sediments, soils, crops, and human hairs were collected, and their Mn concentration was determined. In surface soil samples, the mean Mn concentration was within the range of geochemical background value of soil Mn in the Liaohe  River Plain, and lower than the Earth crust abundance. The mean Mn concentration in surface water samples was within the normal range. The Mn concentration (0.01 mg·L-1) in the drinking water at its source site met the requirement of national standard, while that in the groundwater at several villages in the Xihe River watershed was averaged 4.17 and 2.75 mg·L-1 in autumn and summer, respectively, both exceeding the national standard for levels III and IV of waters. The Mn concentration in the crops and vegetables in Zhangyi region was 3-266 μg·g-1dry mass, possibly caused by shallow groundwater irrigation. The daily Mn intake of local inhabitants via drinking water, crops, and vegetables was less than the minimum toxic dose 0.06 mg·kg-1 body weight·d-1. The Mn concentration in the human hairs from the inhabitants in the villages near Xihe River watershed was averaged 24.6 μg·g-1, being three times higher than the normal Chinese hair Mn concentration (1.3-9.8 μg·g-1). The women’s mean hair Mn concentration was onefold greater than the men’s, and the 20-30 years old group’s mean hair Mn concentration was higher than the other age groups’.
    Antioxidant enzyme activities of plants on closed municipal solid waste sanitary landfills.
    2010, 29(08):  1612-1617. 
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    A comparative study was made on the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of dominant plants growing on two closed municipal solid waste sanitary landfill in Hunan Province. On the 3-year closed landfill under poor ecological condition, the SOD activity of Rumex dentatus, Polygonum lapathifolium and Cyperus glomeratus was 408.35, 298.56 and 219.97 U·mg-1prot. The CAT activity ofEchinochloa crusgalli, Flos chrysantheni and Aster fastigiatus was 20.72, 18.10 and 16.42 U·mg-1 prot, respectively, while Coronopus didymus had the lowest (3.54 U·mg-1prot) CAT activity. Through the comprehensive comparison of the enzyme activity and the sum of R/Q, it was deduced that R. dentatus, P. lapathifolium, E. crusgalli, F. chrysantheni and A. fastigiatus had better resistance against environmental stress, being the dominant plants at the early stage of landfill closure. On the 8year closed landfill, the plants with the highest SOD activity were C. didymus, Medicago minima, Erigeron canadensis, R. dentatus and Carduus crispus, and those with the highest CAT activity were Potentilla  supina, C. crispus, Polypogon fugax, A. fastigiatus and R. dentatus. The sum of R/Q was in the range of 0.17-0.61. C. didymus, Potentilla supina, C. crispus, Polypogon fugax  and  R. dentatus had the stronger adaptability to the environmental stress. Natural succession of dominant plants was observed on the landfills closed for different years, which provided a basis for landfill vegetation restoration.
    Biosurfactant-producing bacterium SQ6: Its isolation and zymotic fluid surface activity.
    2010, 29(08):  1618-1623. 
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    A short rod shaped Gram negative surfactant-producing bacterium designated as SQ6 was isolated from the produced water from Daqing oilfield.The physiological and biochemical test showed that the SQ6 had the characteristics of Pseudomonas, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis further indicated that the SQ6 had a similarity of 99.9% to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Growing on the mineral salts medium containing 2% glucose, the SQ6 decreased the surface tension of SQ6 zymotic fluid from 57.0 to 25.6 mN·m-1within 24 hours. Under the conditions of high temperatures (121 °C for 30 min), high salinity (12% NaCl), and a wide range of pH, the SQ6 zymotic fluid could maintain a relatively stable surface activity, and its critical micelle concentration was 50 mg·L-1. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) indicated that glycolipid was the main surface-active component presented in SQ6 zymotic fluid.
    Distribution patterns of microorganisms in biological crusts on sand dunes of southern Mu Us sandy land.
    2010, 29(08):  1624-1628. 
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    To better understand the distribution patterns of microorganisms in biological crusts in semiarid sandy region, measurements were made on the quantities of microorganisms in the biological crusts in southern Mu Us sandy land. From the top of sand dune to the inter-dune, the total umber of the microorganisms had an increasing trend, and had significant difference in the crust layer at different geomorphic locations (P<0.5), except that between the top of sand dune and the windward slope, and between windward slope and lee slope. In the crust layer and the 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm soil layers under crust at the same locations, the vertical distribution of microorganisms varied. Generally, with the deepening depth, the quantities of microorganisms increased after an initial decrease, but the quantities of actinomyces on the windward slope decreasedafter an initial increase, and the quantities of the total number of microorganisms, bacteria, and fungi on the windward slope as well as the quantities of fungi on the top of sand dune decreased continually. Among the microorganism groups, bacteria were predominant, followed by actinomyces, and fungi. The proportion of bacteria in the total number of microorganisms was higher in inter-une than on the top of sand dune, but the proportions of actinomyces and fungi in the total number of microorganisms were opposite. The vertical distribution of microorganisms in the 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm soil layers under crust was in accord with soil moisture content, and accordingly, the latter could be the key factor affecting the vertical distribution of soil microorganisms.
    Isolation and performance evaluation of a heterotrophic nitrobacterium Micrococcus sp.
    2010, 29(08):  1629-1633. 
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    By using nitrosobacterial selective medium, a heterotrophic nitrobacterium strain HB-1 with nitrification-denitrification capability was isolated from wetland surface sediment. The conventional staining analysis and the phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA showed that the strain HB-1 had 99% similarity to Micrococcus sp. 16S rDNA, and was preliminarily identified as Micrococcus sp. Taking sodium acetate as the carbon source and ammonium chloride as the nitrogen source, an 8-day aerobic incubation test showed that the NH4-N removal rate by the strain was 49.2%, and trace of NO2-N was detected. Taking sodium nitrate as the sole N source, the strain could not remove N under aerobic incubation, but could remove 90.7% of N after 6-day anoxic incubation, reflecting its important role in denitrification.
    Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on anion concentrations in paddy field soil solution.
    2010, 29(08):  1634-1638. 
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    Aimed to approach the responses of soil element geochemical cycling in paddy field ecosystem to elevated atmospheric CO2, a rice/wheat FACE (Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) platform was utilized to study the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on the concentrations of Cl-, CO32-, HCO3-, SO42-, NO3-, and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) in soil solution at different growth stages of rice. Under effects of elevated atmospheric CO2, the SO42- concentration in soil solution decreased while the HCO3- concentration was in adverse, and the effects were more obvious at the soil depth 15 cm than at 5 cm. In the meantime, the NO3- and DIP concentrations in soil solution had a decreasing trend, while the CO32-and Cl- concentrations had no obvious variation pattern. The affecting mechanisms of elevated atmospheric CO2 on the anion concentration in soil solution were also analyzed.  
    Non-use value assessment of ecotourism resources in Wuyishan Nature Reserve.
    2010, 29(08):  1639-1645. 
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    By using contingent valuation method, this paper assessed the non-use value of the ecotourism resources in Wuyishan Nature Reserve based on the questionnaire 1) description of the projects for assessment and their background information, 2) social and economic characteristics of interviewees, 3) attitudes and protection awareness of interviewees to the environment, and 4) willingness of interviewees to pay for the assessed projects. The ways of payment and the reasons of non-payment by the interviewees were analyzed. In the reserve, the non-use value of the ecotourism resources was 6.52×108 Yuan per year, among which, the existence value was 3.38×108 Yuan per year, heritage value was 1.42×108 Yuan per year, and alternative value was 1.72×108 Yuan per year. Through the comparison with previous relevant studies, the validity and reliability of the results were tested. This study could be of significance in promoting the changes of human being’s understanding of ecotourism resources value and making the protection and development of these resources become more scientific and sustainable.
    Urban ecological infrastructure and its construction principles.
    2010, 29(08):  1646-1654. 
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    The concept of urban ecological infrastructure (EI) is highly comprehensive and integrative, incorporating not only vegetations and river networks but also large-scale landforms pattern, such as mountains and coastlines. Furthermore, this concept underlines a systematic construction in the context of ecological lands, and the role and significance of urban ecological construction as well. Therefore, urban EI is essential for sustaining biodiversity in urban areas through maintaining the stability of natural ecological processes, such as soil erosion and hydrological cycle. The EI in urban systems also provides valuable eco-services via alleviating pollutions, regulating air quality, and enhancing recreational culture and ecological education. It can also be used to guild urban planning and development by constraining and directing urban land use for human habitat improvement. The guiding principles of urban EI conservation and construction, the paper argues, are integrity and systematization. More specifically, (1) ecological planning should proceed urban planning, and thus, primary ecological lands could be preserved as the priority, and the ecological network composed by them should be permanently maintained without being adversely impacted from urban expansion and development, (2) public participation should be encouraged particularly at community level for both design and local construction of EI.
    Ecological construction of plant landscapes in rural areas of Southern Jiangsu.
    2010, 29(08):  1655-1661. 
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    Ecological construction of plant landscape is an important part of rural landscape construction. Based on the simulation of natural and semi-natural plant communities, this paper studied the ecological construction of plant landscapes in rural areas of Southern Jiangsu. According to the constituent elements of rural landscape, the rural plant landscape could be divided into residential plant landscape (public space in residential area), farmland plant landscape, road plant landscape, and riparian plant landscape, and the ecological construction of rural landscape could be conducted with the reference of natural plant communities. Taking the rural area of southern Changshu as a case, its natural and semi-natural plant communities were investigated by the methods of vegetation ecology. Fifteen models of artificial planting were designed, which could be used for the ecological construction of plant landscapes in the rural areas of Southern Jiangsu. Different types of rural plant landscape had different characteristics and functional requirements. Through the analysis of the characteristics of typical villages in Changshu, it was suggested that the simulated natural plant communities could be used as the bases to further reform and formulate the planting modes to adapt to different types of rural plant landscape.
    Research progress on exotic invasive weed Amaranthus retroflexus.
    2010, 29(08):  1662-1670. 
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    Amaranthus retroflexus is native to America but a widely distributed exotic invasive weed in China. This paper summarized the researches on its seed biological characters, allelopathy, phenotypic plasticity, eco-physiological characters as a typical C4 plant, competition with crops, invasive expansion process and limiting environmental factors in China, responses to increased UV-B radiation, and control methods. Some biological characteristics of A. retroflexus contribute to its strong invasion. A. retroflexus is a prolific seed producer, and its seeds can germinate over a wide range of temperature. A. retroflexus  has strong allelopathic effects on the growth of many crops, and exhibits high photosynthetic capacity no matter at high temperature and high light intensity or at low temperature and low light intensity. It can also show high phenotypic plasticity to the spatiotemporal changes of environmental conditions and adapt to a wide range of temperature and humidity, and thus, can invade many different types of habitats. Aiming at the deficiencies of the studies on A. retroflexus, following issues were proposed: 1) the adaptation mechanisms of A. retroflexus in response to large-range environmental gradient, 2) the responses of A. retroflexus to resources fluctuation in agroecosystem, 3) the allelopathic mechanisms of A. retroflexus, and 4) the effective integrated weed control techniques of A. retroflexus.
    Observation methods for atmospheric nitrogen deposition.
    2010, 29(08):  1671-1678. 
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    Atmospheric nitrogen deposition has increased dramatically in recent years, due to the increasing discharge of nitrogenous compounds from industry and agriculture. Nitrogen deposition is an important nitrogen source of natural ecosystem, and its increase would disturb the ecosystem biogeochemical cycle. Because of the compositional complexity and large spatiotemporal variability of atmospheric nitrogen deposition as well as the disunity of measurement methods, it is difficult to compare the results from different nitrogen deposition studies. Aiming at the sources and composition of atmospheric nitrogen deposition, this paper summarized the past decades research progress at home and abroad in the observation and test methods of atmospheric nitrogen deposition, described in detail the principles and operations of the methods for measuring wet- and dry nitrogen deposition (traditional rain collection, automatic collection by instrument, ion exchange resin column collection, dust cylinder wet collection, and deposition velocity method), and compared the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Meanwhile, based on the comparison of related studies at home and abroad, this paper also provided the regional quantitative information of nitrogen deposition flux. Presenting a brief review of representative techniques for nitrogen deposition observation, this paper preliminarily elucidated the theoretic bases and principles of atmospheric nitrogen deposition measurement, gave a qualitative reference for the contrastive analysis of different observation results, and provided theoretical bases for the reasonable choice of nitrogen deposition observation