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    10 April 2013, Volume 32 Issue 4
    Topographical habitat variability of dominant species populations in a warm temperate forest.
    LIU Hai-feng1,2, SANG Wei-guo2, XUE Da-yuan1**
    2013, 32(4):  795-801. 
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    Topography is an important factor affecting the distribution pattern of plant population and maintaining plant community diversity. Taking  two dominant species populations (Quercus wutaishanica and Juglans mandshurica) in a 20hm2 warm temperate deciduous broadleaved forest dynamic monitoring plot in Dongling Mountain of China as the objects, this paper studied the topographical habitat variability of the same species populations at different growth stages and of the different species populations at the same growth stages. Q. wutaishanica population mainly distributed at the large slope, southern aspect, western aspect, more convex, and high altitude locations, and the adult trees preferred the concave terrain, as compared with the saplings. J. mandshurica population concentrated in the steep slope, northern aspect, eastern aspect, more concave, and low altitude locations, and the adult trees preferred the southern aspect, eastern aspect, and more concave positions, as compared with the saplings. No significant differences were observed in the topographic factors for the saplings and the adults in each species (P>0.05), i.e., the topographical distribution features of the saplings and adults in each species were the same. The altitude factors for the adults of the two species were significantly different (P<0.05), and for the saplings, besides altitude factors, northsouth aspects also showed a significant difference (P<0.05). The topographical selection of the same species populations at different growth stages showed the limitations and conservatism of the species topographic habitats, and the topographical selection of the different species populations at the same growth stages showed the spatial distribution patterns and biodiversity maintenances between the species. This study could have significance in understanding the species coexistence and biodiversity maintenance in warm temperate forest.
    Litterfall dynamics of plant communities at different succession stages in Karst area of Puding, Guizhou Province of Southwest China.
    XIONG Hong-fu1,2,3, WANG Shi-jie1,3**, RONG Li1,3,4, NI Jian1,3, LIU Xiu-ming1,3
    2013, 32(4):  802-806. 
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    Litterfall is an important component of carbon budget and material cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. In this paper, an observation was conducted on the monthly dynamics of the biomass of litterfalls and their components (leaf, branch, and flower and fruit) from the plant communities at six succession stages (sparseshrub tussock, thorny shrub, shrub, shrubtree transitional forest, secondary forest, and primary forest) in the Puding Karst area of central Guizhou Province from March 2011 to February 2012. At the six succession stages, the mean annual litterfall biomass was 789.5, 3821.8, 4315.0, 4158.8, 4201.0, and 3950.4 kg·hm-2, respectively. With the forward succession of the communities, the litterfall biomass increased first, decreased gradually then, and tended to be stable lastly. The biomass of the litterfall components (leaf, branch, and flower and fruit) accounted for 59.0%-77.7%, 7.9%-24.0%, and 5.4%-240% of the total, respectively. With the forward succession, the biomass of leaf litterfall decreased while that of branch litterfall increased. The monthly variation pattern of the litterfall of sparseshrub tussock, shrub, and primary forest was of unimodal type, while that of the other three succession communities was of bimodel. The leaf litterfall biomass showed a consistent monthly dynamic with the total litterfall.
    Biodiversity of understory vegetation in different-aged Manchurian walnut plantations.
    YANG Li-xue1**, SUN Yue-zhi2
    2013, 32(4):  807-812. 
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    Taking 16-, 23-, and 51 years old Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica) plantations at Maoershan of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China as test objects, and with the consideration of allelochemicals, this paper studied the differences in the understory vegetation biodiversity among the plantations. With the increasing age of the plantations, the understory shrub richness index (IMa), diversity index (Isw), and Pielou evenness index (J) all presented an increasing trend, while the understory herb IMa and Isw were decreasing, and the herb species number decreased from 14 to 10. The most important plant species in the differentaged plantations were Rubus kanayamensis, Erigeron annuus, Taraxacum officinale, and Potentilla centigrana in 16 years old plantation, Ulmus japonica, Syringare ticulata, and Diarrhena manshurica in 23 years old plantation, and Syringare ticulata, Hippochaete hiemale, and Brachybotrys paridiformis in 51 years old plantation. The plant biodiversity of the plantations was less affected by juglone, but the understory shrub biodiversity was more affected by soil available P and K. The understory shrubs and herbs adapted differently to various soil pH ranges. Other soil factors such as bulk density, moisture content, organic matter, and total N had opposite effects on the biodiversity of understory shrubs and herbs.
    Community characteristics and species diversity of wetland plants in middle reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China.
    ZHAO Hai-li1, ZHAO Rui-feng1**, ZHANG Li-hua2, JIANG Peng-hui1, JIN Jian-ling1
    2013, 32(4):  813-820. 
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    By using the methods of botany and phytogeography, in combining with field investigation, this paper studied the wetland flora composition, geographical elements, ecological characteristics, and species diversity in the middle reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China. A total of 84 plant species were recorded, belonging to 70 genera and 32 families. The species of Compositae and Gramineae were dominant, occupying 29.8% of the total. The geographic elements of the flora were of multiplicity, most of which embodied the feature of temperate zone. Herbs had the numerical advantage, and perennial herbs were the main component. By using twoway indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), the vegetation in 42 sampling plots could be classified into 10 communities. The species diversity indices of the communities were relatively low, but had large differences among each other. According to the importance value, the Margalef richness index (Rm) ranged from 0.344 to 1.202, Simpson diversity index (D) was between 0 and 0.840, Shannon diversity index (H) ranged from 0 to 1.999, and Pielou evenness index (J) was within the range of 0.712-1.0, indicating that the structure of the wetland plant communities in the middle reaches of Heihe River was relatively simple.
    Effects of population size on reproductive success of endangered plant Euonymus chloranthoides Yang in fragmented habitat.
    HU Shi-jun1, HE Ping2**, ZHANG Chun-ping2, ZHANG Yi-feng2
    2013, 32(4):  821-824. 
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    Habitat fragmentation can cause the decline of population size. To understand the effects of population size on reproductive success is of significance in species conservation. Euonymus chloranthoides Yang is an endemic and endangered plant in Chongqing of Southwest China. At present, the E. chloranthoides population has suffered from severe habitat fragmentation, with small population size and mostly in isolate status. In this paper, six E. chloranthoides populations at Beibei in Chongqing were selected to study the effects of population size on their reproductive success. Smaller populations had a lower natural fruiting rate, and the differences in the fruiting rate among the six populations were extremely significant (P=0.002). There was a significant correlation between the population size and fruiting rate (r=0.837, P=0.038). The population size had a significant correlation with population’s seedling ratio (P=0.045), and the first ageclass seedling ratio of the smaller populations was also smaller. The present study indicated that habitat fragmentation induced the decrease of the fruiting rate and seedling ratio of smaller populations of E. chloranthoides, which was not beneficial to the reproductive success of the plant species. Therefore, to conserve the E. chloranthoides, it would be necessary to enhance the fruiting rate of the small populations and improve their regeneration.
    Age structure and quantitative dynamics of Excentrodendron hsienmu population in a karst seasonal rain forest in South China. 
    XIANG Wu-sheng1, WANG bin1, DING Tao1, HUANG Yu-song1, NONG Chong-gang2, LIU Sheng-yuan2, LI Xian-kun1**
    2013, 32(4):  825-831. 
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    Excentrodendron hsienmu is a characteristic species in karst seasonal rain forest, and thus, to study the age structure and survival status of E. hsienmu population can provide insight into the succession process and status of karst seasonal rain forest. Based on the investigation data from a 15 hm2 plot in a karst seasonal rain forest at Nonggang of South China, and by using quantitative analysis method, this paper studied the age structure and quantitative dynamics of E. hsienmu population in the forest. In the forest, E. hsienmu population was characterized by the abundance of young individuals, and the age structure of the population was in an inverseJ shape. The survival curve of the population could be described by the Deevy Ⅱ curve and Deevy Ⅲ curve, but more appropriately by Deevy Ⅱ curve, which implied that E. hsienmu reproduced a large number of offspring to maintain its population. There existed two peak phases of mortality rate in the population lifespan, i.e., 0-9 and 60-69 years. The survivability of the population had the characteristics of fluctuated at young age, stable at middle age, and decline at old age. The quantitative dynamics of the population had no obvious large cycle fluctuation, but a small cycle (about 11 years) fluctuation. In conclusion, the E. hsienmu population in the karst seasonal rain forest was of an expanding structure, and the survival status of the population fluctuated across different life stages, with a relatively high mortality rate at young and mature stages. The age structure and quantitative dynamics of the population could be greatly affected by the biological characteristics of the population itself and by the restrictive effect of negative density as well as the karst geological drought.
    Correlations of plant seed dispersal pattern with genome size and 1000-seed mass.
    BAI Cheng-ke**, CAO Bo, LI Gui-shuang
    2013, 32(4):  832-837. 
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    Seed dispersal is essential to the reproduction, distribution, and evolution of plants. To study the correlations of plant seed dispersal pattern with genome size and 1000-seed mass is of significance for revealing the invasion of plant seeds and the mechanisms of genome evolution. In this paper, statistics and correlation analysis were conducted on 235 plant species with complete genome information (chromosomes number, ploidy, and C-value), 1000-seed mass, and seed dispersal patterns, based on the previous estimation of some plant species C-values and the searching of plant C-value database and seed information database. The ANOVA analysis indicated that for the plants whose seeds were dispersed by water, bird, and wind, the C-values (Cwater=1.3 pg, Cbird=1.6 pg, and Cwind=2.0 pg) and genome sizes (1Cxwater=1.1 pg, 1Cxbird=1.3 pg, and 1Cxwind=1.6 pg) were significantly lower than those whose seeds were dispersed by animaleating (1Canimal=4.9 pg, and 1Cxanimal=4.7 pg) (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed among the four dispersal patterns and the unassisted dispersal and animalcarrying patterns (P> 0.05). The 1000-seed mass of the 235 species varied greatly. The 1000-seed mass of the plants with seed dispersal by wind and animalcarrying (7.2 g and 13.5 g, respectively) were obviously lower than that with seed dispersal by water and animaleating (85.8 g and 92.5 g, respectively), but the 1000-seed mass of the plants with unassisted dispersal had no significant differences with that of other dispersal patterns. The further correlation analysis showed that there existed positive correlations between the genome size and 1000-seed mass of the plants whose seeds were dispersed by animaleating and water (γ=0.33), in which, the correlation for the plants whose seeds were dispersed by animal-eating was significant (y=0.67x+3.23, R2=0.11,P=0.04). These findings would provide references to reveal the mechanisms of plant seed dispersal, distribution, and genome evolution.
    Species diversity of epiphytic bryophytes in Baihua Mountain National Nature Reserve, Beijing.
    TIA Ye-Lin1, LI Jun-qing2, SHI Ai-ping1, YU Jian-jun1, WANG Wen-he1**
    2013, 32(4):  838-844. 
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    An investigation was conducted on the species diversity of epiphytic bryophytes in Baihua Mountain National Nature Reserve, Beijing in 2004-2010. A total of 495 specimens were recorded, belonging to 34 species, 21 genera, and 13 families, among which, Pottiaceae, Leskeaceae, Entodontaceae, Orthotrichaceae, and Hypnaceae were the dominant families, and Lindbergia sinensis, Pylaisiella polyantha, L. brachyptera, and Frullania musicicola were the dominant species. There were three peaks of the vertical distribution of the epiphytic bryophytes, i.e., altitude <1200 m (14 species), altitude 1400-1500 m (11 species), and altitude >1700 m (10 species), and only 5 species were distributed at altitude 1200-1300 m. Shannon index was the highest for Betula platyphylla (1.816) and the smallest for Juglans mandshurica (1:500), Pielou evenness index was the highest for Populus davidiana (0.910) and the smallest for Q. liaotungensis (0.591), Simpson index was the highest for Q. liaotungensis (0.335) and the smallest for P. davidiana (0.181), and Patrick index was the highest for Q. liaotungensis (13) and the smallest for P. davidiana and J. mandshurica (7). The species diversity indices of the epiphytic bryophytes were related to habitat, bark crack, and water availability.
    Interspecific relationships of dominant species in Forsythia suspensa communities in Taiyue Mountain of Shanxi, China.
    HU Bei-juan, ZHANG Qin-di, ZHANG Ling, BI Run-cheng**
    2013, 32(4):  845-851. 
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    Based on the 2 × 2 contingency table, and by adopting χ2test, variance ratio (VR), Pearson’s correlation, and Spearman’s rank correlation, a quantitative study was conducted on the interspecific association among the 300 species pairs of 25 dominant species in Forsythia suspensa communities in Taiyue Mountain, Shanxi of China. The variance analysis showed that the overall interspecific association of the 25 dominant species was not significant, and the species distribution was relatively independent. The χ2 test showed that there were 138 species pairs in positive association, and 150 species pairs in negative association, with the association ratio being 0.92. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient test showed that 100 species pairs were in positive association, and 199 species pairs were in negative association, with the association ratio being 0.5. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient test showed that 121 species pairs were in positive association, and 179 species pairs were in negative association, with the association ratio being 0.67. Compared with χ2 test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient tests had higher sensitivity. According to the adaptation ways of the species to the environment and the leading ecological factors, in combination with principal components analysis, the 25 dominant species were divided into four ecological species groups.
    Species diversity and soil nutrient dynamics along a chronosequence of vegetation restoration in Taihang Mountains hilly region, Hebei Province of North China.
    ZENG Xin-hua1,2, ZHANG Wan-jun1**, SONG Yi-gang3, QU Fang1,2, ZHAO Xin1,2
    2013, 32(4):  852-858. 
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    With the combination of field survey and laboratory analysis, and based on the investigation data in 1986 and 2008, this paper analyzed the changes of plant species diversity (Shannon index, richness index, and Pielou evenness index) and their relationships with soil nutrient dynamics along the chronosequence of vegetation restoration in Taihang Mountains hilly region, Hebei Province of North China. After the 22 years vegetation restoration, the plant community structure and species composition in the study area had an obvious change. The life form of the community shifted gradually from herbs to trees and shrubs, and the species number of herbaceous plants had a significant decrease. The coverage and biomass of shrubs increased significantly, which altered the understory microenvironment, making the wet herbaceous plants have a remarkable decrease and inducing the decrease of species diversity and richness index. The plant species diversity was mainly affected by the contents of soil organic matter, total N, total P, total K, total Ca, and total Mg. After 22 years natural restoration, the plant community structure became more reasonable, biomass increased greatly, and species diversity had somewhat decrease, with a remarkable feedback to the nutrient contents of soil surface layer.
    Flowering phenology and reproductive feature of Epimedium wushanense.
    QUAN Qiu-mei**, LI Yun-xiang
    2013, 32(4):  859-866. 
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    Taking three Epimedium wushanense populations as test objects, this paper studied their flowering phenology and reproductive feature, and analyzed the differences in the floral syndrome, flowering phenology index, and fruit set among the populations as well as the effects of flowering phenology index on the reproductive success of E. wushanense. The flowering span of E. wushanense was from early March to mid and late April, and the flowering phase of the population, individual, and single flower lasted approximately 22-27, 12-17, and 3-4 days, respectively. The flowering amplitude curves of the populations at individual level were of single peak and higher synchrony, exhibiting a “massflowering” pattern. Correlation analysis showed that fruit set number had significant positive correlations with peak flowering date, last flowering date, flowering duration, and bud number, but less correlation with first flowering date. The analysis of the coefficient of variation of flowering phenology indicated that there existed significant differences in the flowering duration, last flowering date, peak flowering date, fruit set number, total flower number, flowering amplitude, and frit set, but less difference in the flowering synchrony index and first flowering date among the three populations. In addition, the fruit set was also affected by the spur of E. wushanense. This study showed that the flowering phenology and reproductive feature of E. wushanense were affected by micro-environment, and the reproductive
    feature was also affected by the spur of E. wushanense.
    Effects of snow damage on the leaf litter’s nutrient content and return amount of constructive species in evergreen broadleaved forest in Gutianshan National Natural Reserve, East China.
    YAN Li-rong1, LIU Hui1, LI Ming-hong1**, ZHANG Lei2, YU Ming-jian2
    2013, 32(4):  867-873. 
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    A 24hm2 plot was installed in the Gutianshan National Natural Reserve, East China to dynamically monitor the leaf litter’s nutrient content and return amount of evergreen broadleaved forest. In 2008, a serious snow damage event happened in southern China, which gave us an opportunity to study the effects of snow damage on the leaf litter’s nutrient content and return amount of two constructive species (Castanopsis eyrei and Schima superba) in the evergreen broadleaved forest. No obvious difference was observed in the leaf litter’s C content of the constructive species before and after the snow damage, but the leaf litter’s production after the snow damage showed an obvious decrease, and thus, the leaf litter’s C return amount after the snow damage also showed an obvious decrease. As compared with that before the snow damage, the leaf litter’s N content of the constructive species after the snow damage was significantly larger, but the litter’s N return amount was smaller, due to the decrease of the litter’s production after the snow damage. Same as the leaf litter’s N content, the leaf litter’s P content of the constructive species after the snow damage was significantly larger than that before the snow damage (P<0.01), and the leaf litter’s P return amount also presented the same pattern.
    Valuation on carbon fixation and oxygen release in reforested croplands of Shaanxi Province of China.
    FAN Jian-zhong, LI Deng-ke**, ZHOU Hui
    2013, 32(4):  874-881. 
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    By using the EOS/MODIS NPP data of remote sensing biogeochemical model (BIOME-BGC), this paper analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of vegetations carbon fixation quantity in the reforested croplands of Shaanxi Province, China in 2000-2010, and estimated the service values of the vegetation carbon fixation and oxygen release, according to the specifications for the assessment of forest ecosystem services in China. From 2000 to 2010, the estimated carbon fixation density in the reforested croplands was averagely 299 g·m-2·a-1. As compared to the year 2000, the amount of carbon fixation in the reforested croplands in 2010 increased by 5.37×106 t·a-1, and the carbon fixation value totaled 1.401 billions Yuan, accounting for 50.4% of the increment value of the carbon fixation in the Province, while the area of the reforested croplands only occupied 38.5% of the total area of the Province. The amount of oxygen release in the reforested croplands increased by 1.43×107 t·a-1, and the oxygen release value totaled 5.053 billions Yuan. In the reforested croplands, the carbon fixation density had a slow increase (though with fluctuation), but the increasing trend was more significant and the increment was higher than that in the perimeter zones. The area where the carbon fixation density increased occupied 99.8% of the reforested cropland area, while the area where the carbon fixation density decreased only occupied 0.2%. The proportion of the total area with low carbon fixation density was decreasing, while that with medium and high carbon densities was increasing. In the reforested cropland area, the carbon fixation density in the main land-use types had an obvious increasing trend, while that in different steep lands showed different increasing trend, being most significant (P<0.01) in>25° lands. It was suggested that with the implementation of the project of reforesting cultivated land, vegetation coverage improved gradually, and significant benefits were obtained from the carbon fixation and oxygen release in reforested cropland area.
    Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on the leaf morphology and anatomical structure of two local rice varieties in Yuanyang terraced fields, Yunnan Province of Southwest China.
    BAO Long-li1, HE Yong-mei1, ZU Yan-qun1, LI Yuan1**, GAO Guo-xing2, HE Yu-zhong2
    2013, 32(4):  882-889. 
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    An in situ field experiment was conducted in Yuanyang terraced fields to study the effects of simulated enhanced UV-B radiation at different intensity levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 kJ·m-2) on the leaf morphology and anatomical structure of two local rice cultivars, Yuelianggu and Baijiaolaojing, at tillering, jointing, and booting stages. For the two test rice cultivars, enhanced UV-B radiation induced a gradual decrease of leaf length, leaf width, and single leaf area, a significant increase of leaf thickness and upper and lower epidermal cuticle thickness, an increase of upper epidermal thickness, and a significant decrease of lower epidermis thickness. Enhanced UV-B radiation also induced a loose array of mesophyll cell and an increase of intercellular space. Under 5.0 and 7.5 kJ·m-2 of UV-B radiation, the thickness of lower epidermal cuticle of Baijiaolaojing was significantly bigger than that of Yuelianggu, but no significant difference was observed under other UV-B radiation intensity levels. The leaf length and the thickness of upper epidermal and lower epidermal cuticle of the two test cultivars under 5.0 and 7.5 kJ·m-2 of UV-B radiation, and the leaf area and the thickness of upper epidermal cuticle of Baijiaolaojing under 7.5 kJ·m-2 of UV-B radiation were significantly larger than those under 2.5 kJ·m-2 of UV-B radiation, but no significant differences were observed between other treatments. These results indicated that enhanced UV-B radiation had significant effects on the leaf morphology and anatomical structure of local rice cultivars in Yuanyang terraced fields.
    Effects of low-pressure sprinkler irrigation on spatiotemporal distribution of nitrogen in soil-wheat system and wheat grain yield.
    WANG Ke, WANG Zhi-qiang, MA Chao, ZHANG Zhi-wei, LIN Tong-bao**
    2013, 32(4):  890-898. 
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    In order to establish an efficient irrigation model to save water and fertilizer for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), a field experiment was conducted to study the effects of different water application amounts of low-pressure sprinkler irrigation on the spatiotemporal distribution of nitrogen in soilwinter wheat system and the wheat grain yield, with the traditional surface irrigation (flooding irrigation) as the control. Lowpressure sprinkler irrigation decreased the soil compaction significantly, increased the soil urease activity after flowering stage, and made the soil NO3--N and NH4+-N concentrated in 0-60 cm root zone, preventing the further leakage of water and fertilizer nitrogen. As compared with flooding irrigation, low-pressure sprinkler irrigation decreased the peak of ammonia volatilization rate and the total amount of ammonia volatilization significantly, and increased the total nitrogen content and nitrogen transport rate of plant leaves, sheaths, and stems considerably. Both the wheat grain yield and the water and nitrogen use efficiency under low-pressure sprinkler irrigation were increased to different extent, and the treatment with 15% reduction of water application amount obtained the highest grain yield and the highest water and nitrogen use efficiency while the least losses of water and fertilizer nitrogen.
    Winter bed-site microhabitat selection by Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus) in Hubei Shishou Milu National Nature Reserve, South-central China.
    ZOU Shi-jie1, SONG Yu-cheng1, YANG Dao-de1**, LI Peng-fei2
    2013, 32(4):  899-904. 
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    To understand the winter bed-site microhabitat characteristics of Pére David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus) can provide theoretical basis for seeking strategies to scientifically protect and effectively manage E. davidianus in winter. In this paper, an investigation was conducted in 61 E. davidianus bedsite quadrants and 70 control quadrants in Hubei Shishou Milu National Nature Reserve from November 2011 to February 2012, aimed to understand the winter bedsite microhabitat selection by E. davidianus in the Reserve. The E. davidianus preferred the habitats with richer food, higher degree of vegetation cover, and better shelter for bedding down in winter. The principal component analysis showed that food richness, ambient temperature, and comfort index were the key factors affecting E. davidianus bedsite microhabitat selection. This study analyzed the reqirements of E. davidianus for the ecological factors of winter bedsite microhabitat, which would help to the insitu and ex-situ protection of wild E. davidianus population.
    Growth and feeding habits of Rhinogobio cylindricus Günther in the upper reaches of Yangtze River.
    XIONG Xing1,3, LI Ying-wen1, TIAN Hui-wu2,3, JIA Xiang-yang1,3, DUAN Xin-bin3, LIU Shao-ping3, CHEN Da-qing3**
    2013, 32(4):  905-911. 
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    A total of 547 specimens of Rhinogobio cylindricus were monthly collected from the upper reaches of Yangtze River from July 2010 to July 2012. By using otolith as identification material, the age structure and growth characteristics of the specimens were studied, and the feeding habits of the specimens were analyzed by their intestinal inclusions. As a material for identification, the otolith was better than the others, and the success rate was 93.7%. The R. cylindricu population consisted of 7 age classes, mainly between 2-4 years old (79.89%). The relationships between body weight and length and between body length and otolith radius could be expressed as W=8×10-6L2.977 (r2=0.955, P<0.01) and L=8×10-4R2.149 (r2=0.945, P<0.01), respectively, and the Von Bertalanffy growth equation was Lt=389.37(1-e-0.177(t+0.739)) and Wt=515.26(1-e-0.177(t+0.739))2.977. The age inflection point of body weight was estimated at 5.44 years. Diet habit analysis showed that R. cylindricus preyed all the year, with the main foods being algae, mollusks, and aquatic insects. In terms of numerical percentage, the majority of the foods were algae and mollusks (93.12%); in terms of weight percentage, the majorities were algae, mollusks and aquatic insects (78.38%). According to the results of this study, R. cylindricus was an omnivorous fish species. As compared with previous studies, the R. cylindricus had individually miniaturized, but its body weight changed little. Some suggestions for fishery resources protection were proposed to cope with the over exploitation of the R. cylindricus.
    Spatiotemporal distribution patterns of Antarctic krill aggregations around the  South Orkney Islands in austral summer-autumn 2011.
    ZHU Guo-ping1,2,3,4, ZHU Xiao-yan2, XIA Hu2, LI Ying-chun2, XU Liu-xiong1,2,3,4**
    2013, 32(4):  912-919. 
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    Based on the video records collected by the Chinese scientific observers of Antarctic krill fishery abroad the large-scale factory trawler “KAIXIN”, which operated around the South Orkney Islands in the austral summer-autumn 2011 (March 6 to April 21, 2011), this paper analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of the Antarctic krill aggregations in the water areas of the Islands. The Antarctic krill aggregation were concentrated in the northwestern water areas of the Islands, and limited mostly at 60°00′S-60°15′S and 45°30′W-46°30′W. In different water layers, the aggregations were dominated in patched distribution. The percentage similarity index (PSI) analysis showed that there was a high similarity of 92.3 between the 0-50 m and 50-100 m water layers. The scattered, patched, and belted aggregations had the highest proportion of occurrence in 0-50 m water layer, and the patched and belted aggregations had a very similar distribution pattern in different water layers (PSI=94.4). The time segment with higher occurrence of Antarctic krill aggregations was from 1:00 to 18:00, and the occurrence decreased gradually to the lowest level from 19:00 to 20:00. This study could provide basic data for better understanding the formation mechanism of Antarctic krill fishing ground, and the operational references for exploiting Antarctic krill resources.
    Community structure and species diversity of nektons in Xiangshan Bay of East China.
    JIANG Ya-zhou1, LIN Nan1, YUAN Xing-wei1, JIAO Hai-feng2, LING Jian-zhong1, LI Sheng-fa1**
    2013, 32(4):  920-926. 
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    Based on the data from beam-trawl and singletrawl surveys conducted in the April (spring), July (summer), and November (autumn) of 2011, this paper studied the seasonal variations in the community structure and biodiversity of nektons in the Xiangshan Bay. A total of 96 nekton species were collected, including 54 species of fish, 38 species of crustaceans, and 4 species of cephalopods. Acanthopagrus schlegelii, Lateolabrax maculates, and Mugil cephalus were the most commercially important species in the Bay. In different seasons, the biodiversity indices including species diversity (H′'), species richness (D), and evenness (J′) showed no significant differences, but the community structure in summer differed significantly with that in spring and autumn. Some migrant species, such as Pennahia argentata and Portunus trituberculatus, only appeared in the bay in summer to spend their nursing periods, which, together with the seasonal variations in the percentage contributions of some dominant species to the total biomass, could be the main factor inducing the seasonal variation in the species composition of the nekton community. The abundance and biomass curves (ABC) indicated that the nekton community in the Bay was moderately disturbed, and the fastgrowing, small-sized, and opportunistic
     r-selected species occupied the dominance in the nekton community.
     
    Effects of dissolve oxygen level on fast-start performance of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus).
    ZHANG An-jie, CAO Zhen-dong, FU Shi-jian**
    2013, 32(4):  927-931. 
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    In order to investigate the effects of dissolved oxygen level on the fast-start performance of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), this paper studied the faststart process of hypoxiaacclimated (1 mg O2·L-1, 48 h) and nonacclimated C. idellus juveniles in normoxia (c. 10.0 mg O2·L-1), 2.0 mg O2·L-1, and 1.0 mg O2·L-1 at 15.0±1.0 ℃. The juveniles were electrically stimulated (0.75 V·cm-1, 50 ms), their faststart process was recorded by high speed camera, and their responsiveness (R), response latency (T), maximum swimming speed (Vmax), maximum acceleration (Amax), 160 ms cumulative distance (S), and curvature coefficient (C) were calculated. As compared with those in normoxia, the R of nonacclimated juveniles in hypoxia decreased, while the Vmax, Amax, and T increased. Dissolved oxygen level had no significant effects on the S or C. Hypoxia acclimation only induced the increase of the T, but had no significant effects on the other measured parameters. It was suggested that hypoxia acclimation and the decrease of dissolved oxygen level could induce the decrease of R and the increase of T, while the increased T in hypoxia could be due to the decreased sensitivity of nervous system in hypoxia. Both the hypoxia acclimation and the dissolved oxygen level showed no significant effects on the faststart performance of the juvenile C. idellus, indicating that the rapid escape performance of the juvenile C. idellus in hypoxic environment was relatively conservative.
     
    Effects of Xihe reservoir construction on fish assemblages in Hanjiang River.
    WANG Xiao-chen1, YANG Xing-zhong1, XING Juan-juan2, LU Bin-bin2, ZHANG Jun-yan2, ZHANG Jian-jun2**
    2013, 32(4):  932-937. 
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    In order to understand the effects of reservoir construction on fish assemblages, a fishery resource investigation was conducted on the fish assemblages in the Xihe reservoir of Hanjiang River in autumn 2011 and spring 2012. A total of 35 fish species were collected, belonging to 6 families and 4 orders. Most of the fishes belonged to family Cyorinidae (22 species) and Bagridae (7 species). As compared with those collected in 1980-1982, the fish assemblages collected in 2011-2012 changed greatly. The species producing semi-pelagic eggs and preferring to live in riffle declined, while those producing viscid eggs increased. The changes of the other ecological guilds were related to the spawning types and the preferring to live in riffle. On the whole, the ecological guilds of the fishes in the Xihe reservoir showed convergence in spawning, inhabitation, and somatotype. The changes of hydrological conditions resulted from dam construction could be the main causes of the changes of the fish assemblages in the Xihe reservoir. Some advices were given to protect the fish diversity and abundance in the Xihe reservoir of Hanjiang River.
    Tree species composition determines associational resistance or associational susceptibility: A case of Cephalcia kunyushanica.
    ZHU Yan-peng1, LIANG Jun1,2**, SUN Zhi-qiang3, JIANG Ming-yuan4, WU Xiao-ming4,ZHANG Xing-yao1,2
    2013, 32(4):  938-945. 
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    Cephalcia kunyushanica is a typical monophagous defoliating insect species. To determine the factors affecting C. kunyushanica population distribution in different Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) stands, an analysis was made on the relationships of C. kunyushanica larval density with the composition type and diversity of tree species and the site and stand factors. The annual fluctuation of C. kunyushanica population in pure Japanese red pine stand and in the mixed forests of Japanese red pine with the tree species from the same genus (Pinus) or the same order (Pinales, except for Pinus) or with broadleaf trees species in Kunyu Mountain from 2009 to 2011 was also compared. No significant correlations were observed between C. kunyushanica larval density and site and stand factors. There existed differences in the larval density and Shannon index among different stand types, and the variation trends of the two indices were totally different. Forest type was the most important predictor variable in random forests regression used for predicting the larval density of C. kunyushanica. C. kunyushanica larval density was the highest in pure Japanese red pine stand and not significantly different from that in the Japanese red pine stand mixed with Pinus sp., but was significantly higher than that in the Japanese red pine stand mixed with broadleaf and Pinales sp. species in each of the three years. Furthermore, tree species composition was more important than tree species richness in mixed stands. From 2009 to 2010 and from 2010 to 2011, the coefficient of annual variation of C. kunyushanica population was lower in the Japanese red pine stand mixed with broadleaf trees and Pinales sp. than in the Japanese red pine stand mixed with Pinus sp. or in pure Japanese red pine stand, suggesting that C. kunyushanica population was more stable in the Japanese red pine stand mixed with broadleaf tree species than in Japanese red pine stand mixed with Pinus sp. or in pure Japanese red pine stand. Our results suggested that the association of Japanese red pine mixed with Pinus sp. could actually receive more damage by defoliating insect species than the association of Japanese red pine mixed with Pinales sp. and broadleaf trees. The taxonomic kinship of a focal tree and its neighbor trees played an important role in the likelihood of associational resistance or associational susceptibility, and the stands of mixed tree species of close genetic relationship to focal tree species had higher larval density and lower stability of C. kunyushanica than the stands composed of genetically distant trees species.
    Behavioral responses of yellow-spined bamboo locust Ceracris kiangsu to human urine fermented for different days.
    SHU Jin-ping, TENG Ying, LIU Jian, XU Tian-sen, WANG Hao-jie**
    2013, 32(4):  946-951. 
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    Yellow-spined bamboo locust Ceracris kiangsu (Orthoptera: Oedipodidae) is an important bamboo pest in southern China. To better understand the mechanisms of the urinepuddling behavior of C. kiangsu, this paper examined the behavioral responses of C. kiangsu adults to the human urine fermented for different days. The behavioral responses of C. kiangsu adults to the human urine were significantly affected by the fermentation duration of human urine, and the fermentation could enhance the attractiveness of C. kiangsu adults to human urine. As compared with the human urine fermented for 1, 4, 7, 15, and 60 days, the human urine fermented for 30 days was more preferred by the C. kiangsu adults. The filter paper treated with the human urine fermented for 30 days was consumed significantly larger areas (3494.9±345.4 mm2), visited markedly more amounts (43.7±5.2), and settled notably more time (360.5±39.8 s) by the C. kiangsu adults, and the bait of 30-day-fermented human urine mixed with 18% bisultap could attract and kill C. kiangsu adults 507±139 per day, which was much more than the other urine baits in the field. The results of the baittrapping and feeding record indicated that the urinepuddling behavior only occurred in female C. kiangsu adults.
    Effects of shrub Pittosporum tobira on the community structure and diversity of soil fauna.
    LI Meng1, ZHONG Hong-mei1, CHEN Zheng-fu1, ZHONG Qi-zhi2, HE Xian-jin1, WU Peng-fei1**
    2013, 32(4):  952-958. 
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    A comparative study was conducted on the differences in the community structure and diversity of soil fauna beneath and outside the canopy of shrub Pittosporum tobira, aimed to understand the effects of single trees on the soil fauna community through changing microenvironment. Higher taxonomic richness and abundance of soil macrofauna were observed beneath the tree canopy than outside the tree canopy. There were no significant differences in the abundance of soil meso and microfauna in the two habitats, but the rare taxa of the soil meso and micro fauna beneath the tree canopy were more, indicating a more complex community. The abundance of soil nematode outside the tree canopy and the abundance of Acarina beneath the tree canopy were higher, but the abundance of other taxa had no significant difference between the two habitats. Further analysis showed that the soil moisture content outside the tree canopy was relatively high, which benefited aquatic groups to live, but the rare taxa were less, due to the stronger human disturbance. Oppositely, the soil moisture content beneath the tree canopy was lower, which fitted for xeric groups to survive, and the human disturbance was weak, leading to more rare taxa. This study indicated that tree canopy had remarkable effects on the community composition and distribution of soil fauna via affecting soil environment.
    Macrobenthos community structure in the artificial algal reef restoration zone and its adjacent areas of Miaozihu Island, East China in summer.
    WU Zu-li, BI Yuan-xin, CHEN Yan, ZHANG Shou-yu**
    2013, 32(4):  959-967. 
    Asbtract ( 1568 )   PDF (688KB) ( 385 )  
    Selecting the artificial algal reef restoration zone and its adjacent areas of Miaozihu Island as the sampling plots, a scuba diving investigation was conducted on the macrobenthos communities at three water depths in September 2012, with the species composition, spatial distribution, and biodiversity of the communities analyzed. A total of 14 macrobenthic algal species and 70 macrobenthic faunal species were recorded, among which, warm-temperature species were overwhelmingly dominant, including Sargassum vachellianum, S. horneri, Modiolus comptus, and Mytilus coruscus. The species composition of the macrobenthos communities in the artificial algal reef restoration zone and its adjacent areas was similar, but could be divided into two different groups at different water depths. Under the effects of tidal current and wave, there was a significant difference in the quantities of macrobenthos between the restoration zone and its adjacent areas. The richness index, diversity index, and evenness index of the macrobenthos in the restoration zone were 12.25, 5.726 and 0.928, respectively. The abundance/biomass curves suggested that the macrobenthos communities in the artificial algal reef restoration zone and its adjacent areas were relatively stable.
    Soil microbial activities in the water-level-fluctuating zone of Three Gorges Reservoir area during discharging period.
    LI Fei, ZHANG Wen-li**, LIU Ju, XIA Hui-juan, WANG Jian-zhu
    2013, 32(4):  968-974. 
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    Taking the soils at different altitudes in the water-level-fluctuating zone (WLFZ) of Xiangxi River of the Three Gorges Reservoir area as the objects, this paper studied their physicochemical properties and microbial activities during discharging period (May-August), aimed to reveal the variation trends of the soil quality in the WLFZ of the Three Gorges Reservoir area. With the decrease of altitude and the increase of flooding strength, the soil water content and pH value in the WLFZ increased, soil microbial biomass and microbial quotient decreased, and soil metabolic quotient (qCO2) increased significantly. The soil qCO2 in the cyclic wetting and drying area at the altitude below 165 m was significantly higher than that the in non-inundated area at the altitude 175-185 m. At the lower altitudes of the WLFZ, soil was subjected to flooding stress, soil pH tended to become alkaline, and soil quality decreased, being not suitable for the growth of microorganisms. No significant differences were observed in the soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, and C/N ratio at different altitudes of the WLFZ, but the coefficient of variation (CV) of the three soil parameters was relatively smaller in cyclic wetting and drying area. It  was suggested that cyclic wetting and drying was the main factor affecting the distributions of soil C and N in the WLFZ. Correlation analysis showed that soil C/N ratio had a significant positive correlation with SOC, which implied that the changes of soil C/N ratio in the WLFZ of Xiangxi River were mainly determined by the SOC.
    Effects of short-term planting of three transgenic Bt rice lines on soil microbial biomass and soil nematode assemblage.
    QI Lin1, CHEN Fa-jun2, LIU Man-qiang1**, CHEN Xiao-yun1, ZHU Xiang-yu2, LI Hui-xin1, HU Feng1
    2013, 32(4):  975-980. 
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    It is necessary to evaluate the ecological risks of transgenic Bt rice on soil non-target organisms before the rice is released to the market. In 2010, a field trial was conducted to investigate the effects of planting three genetically modified rice lines HH1, T2A-1, and T1C-19 that expressed Bacillus thuringiensis toxin (Bt) on the soil microbial characteristics and the abundance, trophic groups, and ecological indices of soil nematode. After rice harvest following one year planting, genetically modified rice line HH1 increased the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) significantly, as compared to the nontransgenic rice parent line MH63. In contrast, the three transgenic Bt lines had minor effects on the soil microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), but T2A-1 and T1C-19 had great effects than HH1. As compared with the parent line, the three transgenic Bt lines had no significant effects on the nematode abundance, tropic group composition, and plant parasite index (PPI). Significant differences were observed in the structure index between Bt rice (T2A-1 and HH1) and nonBt rice (MH63). Our study suggested that transgenic Bt rice could have significant effects on the structure and function of soil ecosystem in a short period. Longer term monitoring in combining with the determination of Bt toxin content in soil would help to the comprehensive evaluation of the ecological risks of transgenic Bt rice on soil non-target biotic communities.
    Climate year type of wheat powdery mildew epidemics in Hebei Province of North China based on rule of thumb.
    YAO Shu-ran1,2, HUO Zhi-guo3**, SI Li-li4
    2013, 32(4):  981-986. 
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    Temperature and humidity are the most important meteorological elements affecting the epidemics of wheat powdery mildew. Based on the wheat powdery mildew epidemics data in the main wheat production areas in Hebei Province in 1987-2010 and the related meteorological data, and by the methods of composite analysis and rank correlation analysis, the key meteorological factors affecting the wheat powdery mildew epidemics were set up. According to the rule of thumb, the epidemic degree of the powdery mildew was distinguished by the anomaly of temperature and the anomaly of humidity climate at different epidemic stages of the powdery mildew, and the year types and controlling factors of the powdery mildew epidemics were determined. From the validation of historical data, the general accordance ratio was 84%. By using the extrapolated controlling factors values of the powdery mildew epidemics in 2011 and 2012, the forecast accuracy was 100%. When integrated with the climate year types, the forecast accuracy was above 85%. Our results could provide scientific references for the assessment and long-term forecast of wheat powdery mildew epidemics.
    Response of grass growing season to meteorological change in eastern Inner Mongolia grassland.
    LI Xia-zi1,2, HAN Guo-dong1**
    2013, 32(4):  987-992. 
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    Studying the effects of regional climate change on the grassland grasses growth is of significance for guiding local farming and animal husbandry production. Based on the 50 years observation data from 34 meteorological stations and the 27 years grass phenological data from three animal husbandry meteorological experimental stations in eastern Inner Mongolia grasslands, this paper studied the effects of climate change on the growth season of dominant grasses in the grasslands. In eastern Inner Mongolia, the mean air temperature in spring, summer, and autumn had a significant rising trend. The precipitation in spring had a slight increasing trend, but that in other seasons presented a decreasing trend. Climatic warming and drying trend was obvious. The rising of the air temperature in spring promoted the advance of the date of turning green. With an increase of 1 ℃, the turning green date of Leymus chinensis and Stipa baicalensis in Evenk and Ergun advanced 1.7-1.9 days. The rising of the air temperature both in summer and in autumn delayed the date of yellowing and withering. With an increase of 1 ℃, the yellowing and withering date of L. chinensis and S. baicalensis in Ergun postponed 2.0-2.3 days. With an increase of 1 ℃ in summer and autumn, the growth season of S. baicalensis in Ergun prolonged 3.3-3.7 days. With an increase of 1 ℃ in autumn, the growth season of Agropyron cristatum in Bayaertuhushuo shortened 2.8 days.
    Inversion modeling of dissolved oxygen in Hulun Lake of Northeast China based on multi-source remote sensing.
    WANG Bing1, AN Hui-jun1, LU Chang-wei2,3**
    2013, 32(4):  993-998. 
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    Hulun Lake plays an important role in the eco-environment protection and economic development in Northeast China. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is one of the important indicators of water quality. By using the measured DO data from 32 sampling sites and the multi-source remote sensing data (including ground hyperspectral data and multispectral remote sensing images), and based on the spectral characteristic analysis and correlation analysis, the sensitive bands of the DO in the Hulun Lake were extracted, the inversion model of the DO was established, and the spatial distribution of the DO concentration was analyzed. Through validation, though the simulated results had some errors, the established model was able to reflect the spatial characteristics of DO concentration in the Lake. It can provide a fast, economic and effective tool for the real-time monitoring of the DO concentration in Hulun Lake.
    Landscape pattern analysis and dynamic prediction of Sanchuan basin in East China based on CA-Markov model.
    CHENG Gang1, ZHANG Zu-lu1**, LU Jian-shu2
    2013, 32(4):  999-1005. 
    Asbtract ( 1766 )   PDF (1066KB) ( 405 )  
    With the support of ArcGIS and IDRISI platform, in combining with landscape ecology principles, and introducing landscape index and Kappa coefficient, this paper analyzed the landscape pattern and its dynamic degree of the Sanchuan basin in the southern mountainous region of Ji’nan, Shandong Province of East China in 1990-2010, and predicted the dynamic trend of the landscape pattern of Sanchuan basin with CA-Markov model. The landscape index analysis showed that the main landscape types in the basin were cropland, forestland, urban/built-up land, and grassland. Under the effects of human activities, the cropland and grassland in 1990-2010 decreased, while the others presented an increasing trend. Overall, the landscape fragmentation degree and patch complexity in the basin increased, and various landscape types tended to be distributed uniformly. The landscape pattern change was more obvious in the first ten years than in the later ten years, and human activities had more obvious effects on the local ecological environment. Kappa index suggested that the landscape change turned gradually from the variation of landscape quantitative proportion to the variation of the landscape spatial position under the conditions of the landscape quantity keeping relatively stable. Under the policy guidance since 2000, the overall landscape change gradually became more stable, and the effects of human activities on the local ecological environment decreased. The prediction results of CA-Markov model showed that in 2010-2020, the dominance degree and fragmentation degree of all landscape types would be declined, the balanced characteristics would be improved, and the amplitude of landscapes moving in or out would be not large, only occupying 3.08% of the total area. The transformation of landscape types would mainly occur at the patch borders. Overall, the landscape pattern change in the basin was mainly manifested in decrease of cropland and forestland and the increase of urban/builtup land, with the ecological environment becoming more fragile.
    Characteristics of silicate rock weathering in cold temperate zone: A case study of Nenjiang River, China.
    LIU Bao-jian1,2,3, ZHAO Zhi-qi2**, LI Si-Liang2, LIU Cong-qiang2, ZHANG Gan1, HUJian2, DING Hu2, ZHANG Zhuo-jun2,3
    2013, 32(4):  1006-1016. 
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    We determined the concentrations of major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, and HCO3-, SO42-, and Cl-) in the waters of Nenjiang River system, China, analyzed the relative contributions of chemical weathering of different kinds of rocks, atmospheric input, and human input to the total dissolved solutes, and estimated the chemical weathering rates of different kinds of rocks and associated atmospheric CO2 consumption rates in the whole basin and each subbasin. The water of the Nenjiang River system was weakly alkaline, with an average pH of 7.5, calcium was the dominant cation, accounting for 50% of the total cations, and HCO3- was the most abundant anion, accounting for 85% of the total anions. The dissolved cations in the waters were mainly originated from silicate weathering (~38%) and carbonate weathering (~32%), and from the dissolution of evaporates (~25%), human activities (~5%), and atmospheric precipitation input (<1%). The average chemical weathering rate of silicate rock in the basin was approximately 1.37 t·km-2·a-1 (total dissolved solids of silicate rock), and the associated atmospheric CO2 consumption rate was about 40.1×103 mol·km-2·a-1.
     
    Effects of land use change on ecosystem services in earth-rock mountainous area of Loess Plateau, Northwest China: A case study of Ningwu County.
    LIU Xiu-li1,2, ZHANG Bo2**, ZHANG Tiao-feng2, HE Xu-qiang2
    2013, 32(4):  1017-1022. 
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    Under the background of the sharp decline of global ecosystem services level, land use change alters the structure and function of ecosystem, and further, affects the supply of ecosystem services and the human well-being. Taking Ningwu County as the study area and by using land use intensity index, this paper analyzed the regional land use change processes. In the meantime, an ecosystem services evaluation model for the earth-rock mountainous area of Loess Plateau was constructed through combining the material and value assessment methods, and the coupling changes between land systems and ecosystems were analyzed by statistical analysis methods, aimed to provide scientific support for the promotion of land use, ecological restoration, and human well-being in the earth-rock mountainous area of Loess Plateau. The results showed that in 2001-2011, with the promotion of land use intensity, the total ecosystem services value in the County increased yearly, from 5.58 billion yuan (RMB) in 2001 to 6.32 billion yuan  in 2011, with an increment of 13.4%. The regional land use change processes were mainly affected by the provision  services and cultural services. Land use intensity had a close correlation with the provision and cultural services, but poor correlation with regulation services and supporting services.
    Effects of different K+ and Ca2+ concentrations in water environment on the survival rate, oxygen consumption rate, and suffocation point of juvenile Barbus capito.
    HAN Yi-long1,2, YAO Zong-li1, LAI Qi-fang1, ZHOU Kai1, LIN Ting-ting1, WANG Hui1**
    2013, 32(4):  1023-1029. 
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    A singlefactor static acute toxicity test was conducted to study the effects of different concentrations K+ and Ca2+ in a water body with salinity 10 on the survival rate, oxygen consumption rate, and suffocation point of juvenile Barbus capito. At the K+ concentration 3.78-43530 mg·L-1 and Ca2+ concentration 11.01-1535.90 mg·L-1 (with 117.55 mg·L-1 of K+ and 116.59 mg·L-1 of Ca2+ as the controls), all the juveniles could survive. The 96 h LC50 of high concentration K+ and of low concentration Ca2+ was 515.01 mg·L-1 and 5.47 mg·L-1, respectively. At low concentration K+ (3.75±0.17 mg·L-1), no significant variations were observed in the oxygen consumption rate and suffocation point of juvenile Barbus capito (P>0.05); at high concentration K+ (451.67±10.23 mg·L-1), the oxygen consumption rate at 48 h had no significant difference with the control (P>0.05), but that at 72 h and 96 h increased significantly (P<0.05), and both the critical and the absolute suffocation points had a significant increase (P<0.05). At low concentration Ca2+ (8.87±0.34 mg·L-1) and high concentration Ca2 (129010±15.75 mg·L-1), the oxygen consumption rate presented the same tendency, i.e., increased significantly at 24 h (P<0.05), declined at 48 h, and had no significant difference with the control (P>0.05) at 96 h. Whether at low or at high concentration Ca2+, both the critical and the absolute suffocation points of the juveniles increased significantly (P<0.05), as compared to the control. To sum up, the juvenile Barbus capito had stronger tolerance to the K+ and Ca2+ in water body, especially to the low concentration K+ and high concentration Ca2+.
     
    Characteristics of heavy metal pollution in dust and soil of Tianjin City, North China.
    WU Zhan-lei1, ZHOU Jun2, HU Bei-bei1**, WANG Zhong-liang1, WANG Zu-wei1, MENG Wei-qing1
    2013, 32(4):  1030-1037. 
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    Dust and soil samples were taken from 41 parks in inner-city of Tianjin and 10 parks in Tianjin Binhai New Area to study the physicochemical properties and contents of heavy metals in the samples, with the special distribution patterns and possible sources of the heavy metals analyzed. In the parks, the particle sizes of dusts and soils presented bi or multimodal distribution, the organic matter content in the dusts and soils was averagely 49.10 and 27.15 g·kg-1, and the Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni contents in the dusts and soils were averagely 113.88, 76.81, 141.53, 1.30, and 114.70 mg·kg-1, and 41.68, 30.76, 96.43, 1.01, and 34.03 mg·kg-1, respectively, being much higher than the background values in Tianjin. The Heping District, northeastern part of Nankai District, and Hexi District were less polluted by the heavy metals. Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis indicated that organic matter was the main carrier of Cd, while traffic flux and industrial activities were the main pollution sources of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Pb.
    Hazard assessment of soil- and mine tailings heavy metals leaching in Dabaoshan mining area of northern Guangdong, South China.
    JIANG Yan-xing1, LI De-xian2**, GAO Yang1, ZHANG Jing1, WANG Fu-shun1
    2013, 32(4):  1038-1044. 
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    In order to understand the remigration characteristics of the heavy metals in mining areas under the conditions of precipitation, soil and mine tailing samples were collected from the Dabaoshan mining area of northern Guangdong, and a leaching experiment was conducted under neutral conditions to analyze the release patterns of heavy metals. The leached amount of the heavy metals from soils was significantly smaller than that from the mine tailings, but the leaching patterns were similar. At initial stage, the heavy metals leached out rapidly, but with the increasing time, the leached amount decreased, and reached to a stable state at the time around 100 hours. The leaching rate of the heavy metals was in the order of Fe>Cu>Zn>Tl>Pb>Cd. The analysis of annual leaching rates showed that under the action of natural precipitation, great amount of heavy metals in the soils and mine tailings would leach to the local rivers and underground water systems, and seriously endanger the local residents.
    Spatiotemporal distribution patterns of planktonic ciliates in the world sea areas.
    YU Ying1,2, ZHANG Wu-chang1**, FENG Mei-ping1,2, LI Hai-bo1,2, ZHAO Yuan1, XIAO Tian1
    2013, 32(4):  1045-1053. 
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    As an important component of microzooplankton, marine planktonic ciliates are the key link between the microbial food web and classical food chain, playing an important role in the material cycling and energy flow in marine planktonic ecosystems. Since the 1960s, studies on the marine ciliate abundance and biomass in the sea areas of the world, especially in the temperate regions, have been performed extensively. In this paper, the horizontal distribution, vertical distribution, and annual variation patterns of the abundance and biomass of marine planktonic ciliates in the world sea areas were summarized. Generally, ciliates tend to distribute in the middle and upper water layers, their abundance and biomass are higher in the sea areas with more diet supply and higher primary production and showed a bimodal or unimodal pattern in a year, larger ciliates are more prevalent in spring than in summer, and the contribution of tintinnid to the total ciliate abundance was higher in summer or autumn.
    Soil polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans contamination and its remediation: Research progress. 
    ZHANG Xing-li, ZHOU Qi-xing**
    2013, 32(4):  1054-1064. 
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    Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), as the persistent toxic organic pollutants, are easily to be deposited in soil environment, and finally enriched in human and animal bodies through biomagnification and bioaccumulation, bringing significant threat to ecosystems and human health. On the basis of expounding the environmental behaviors and pollution sources of PCDD/Fs, this paper summarized the regional characteristics of PCDD/Fs contamination and the background values and pollution control reference values of PCDD/Fs in soils, and analyzed the pollution status of PCDD/Fs in soils of China and the possible sources of PCDD/Fs. In China, six areas were seriously PCDD/Fs contaminated, i.e., Jiangxi, Guiyu of Guangzhou, the Yangtze River Delta, southern Taiwan, Taizhou of Zhejiang, and a chemical plant in Tianjin. The main pollution sources were the production and utilization of chlorinechemicals, waste incineration, and pulp production. The treatment approaches and remediation technologies for PCDD/Fs contaminated soils were recommended, including physicochemical approaches, microbial remediation, phytoremediation, and phytomicrobial remediation, and the future research directions were prospected.
    Present status and application perspectives of stable isotopes in coastal wetland ecosystem research: A review.
    FENG Jian-xiang1, HUANG Min-shen1, HUANG Qian1, GUO Jie-min1, LIN Guang-hui1,2**
    2013, 32(4):  1065-1074. 
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    The coastal wetland ecosystems in the ecotones of terrestrial and marine systems have unique ecological characteristics, high ecosystem service values, and plenty of natural resources, but are severely impacted by human activities. Stable isotopes, as natural tracers, have become the important tools in coastal wetland ecological and environmental research. This paper reviewed the applications of stable isotopes in researching the food sources and food web structures of wetland animals, the water sources and water use efficiency of coastal wetland plants, and the potential responses of coastal ecosystems to the environmental pollution, biological invasion, elevated CO2 concentration, and human activities. The deficiencies in the applications of stable isotopes in researching coastal wetland ecosystem, such as the sample treatment and trophic enrichment measurement in food web study, and the water extraction method and the selection of instruments in water source research were discussed, and some future directions in the applications of stable isotopes in coastal wetland ecosystem research, including the assessment of wetland ecological restoration and the carbon cycling and greenhouse gases emission were proposed.
    Isolation and identification of a cold-adapted biosurfactant-producing bacterium.
    LIU Chang1, ZHAO Wei1, LI Tao2, WANG Hong-yan1**
    2013, 32(4):  1075-1082. 
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    By using blood agar plate and blue agar plate as the primary screening media, and oil spreading as the re-screening method, 4 strains of coldadapted biosurfactantproducing bacteria were isolated from the straws under natural decay in low temperature environment. Among the four strains, B17 had the highest oil displacement activity, which could decrease the surface tension of fermentation broth from 75.47 mN·m-1 to 37.49 mN·m-1 within 5 days. Through the analyses of morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence, the strain B17 was preliminarily identified as Petrimonas sp. The results of FT-IR showed that the biosurfactant produced in the metabolic process of the B-17 was a kind of glycolipid. The emulsification activity of the fermentation liquor of the B-17 could maintain at 75% within 5 days, with good solubilizing effect. The optimal culture conditions for the growth of the B-17 and for its producing biosurfactant were initial pH 7, salt concentration 0.4%, and culture temperature 20℃. This study provided a basis for the exploitation of coldadapted biosurfactantproducing bacteria.