Table of Content

10 May 2015, Volume 34 Issue 5

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Short-term effects of aboveground litter exclusion and addition on soil respiration in a Schima superba forest in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China.

GAO Qiang1,2, MA Ming-rui1,2, HAN Hua1,2, ZHANG Wei-yan1,2, WANG Hao-bin1,2, ZHENG Ze-mei1,2, YOU Wen-hui1,2**

2015, 34(5):  1189-1197. 

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Litter as one of the major carbon (C) source of soil respiration may affect the soil respiration via its quantity and quality. In order to examine the quantitative differences of soil respiration rate, soil temperature and soil moisture induced by litter exclusion and addition, a litter manipulation experiment with litter exclusion and addition was conducted in Schima superba forest in Tiantong Forest Ecosystem, Zhejiang Province, China from February 2011 to May 2012. The treatments of litter exclusion and addition had a significant effect on soil moisture, but no significant effect on soil temperature. Compared with the mean soil respiration rate in the control (2.52±0.29 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), the soil respiration rate was significantly decreased by 25.32% by litter exclusion but not significantly affected by litter addition treatment. The soil respiration showed an obvious seasonal variability under all three litter treatments, with a marginally significant difference in wet season (P=0.065), but no significant change in dry season. Meanwhile, soil respiration rates in wet season were much higher than that in dry season for the three litter treatments. A significant exponential correlation was found between the soil respiration rate and the soil temperature at 10 cm depth, which explained 80.1%-90.3% of seasonal variation of soil respiration rate under three litter treatments. The Q₁₀ values in the control, litter exclusion and litter addition treatments were 2.42, 2.48 and 2.24, respectively. There was no significant relationship between soil respiration rate and soil moisture under three litter treatments. The results indicated that the shortterm effects of litter manipulation on soil respiration  were dependent on seasonal changes, and litter played a great role in altering soil respiration and soil C cycle in forest ecosystems.

 

Effects of water stress and mycorrhizal fungi on root morphology of Cyclobalanopsis glauca seedlings.

2015, 34(5):  1198-1204. 

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Cyclobalanopsis glauca is a common afforestation species in the karst rocky desertified region of Southwest China. We used two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae (Gm) and Glomus intraradices (Gi), an ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt), and mixed mycorrhizal fungi to inoculate C. glauca seedlings. The seedlings were maintained under three soilwater conditions: well watered, moderate drought, and serious drought. Then, the root scanner Epson Perfection V700 and root analysis software WinRhizo were used to measure root morphological indexes, in order to study the effects of mycorrhizae and drought stress on the C. glauca seedlings. The results showed that under the two conditions of drought stress, root biomass, total root length, root surface area, and root volume of the inoculated seedlings were significantly improved, while average root diameter decreased significantly. Under moderate drought stress, root surface area of the seedlings treated with Pt was significantly higher than that of the seedlings treated with Gm or Gi, while the average root diameter of the seedlings treated with Pt was smaller than that of the seedlings treated with Gm or Gi. However, under severe drought stress, root biomass and root volume of the seedlings treated with Pt were significantly lower than those of the seedlings treated with Gm or Gi, while average root diameter of the seedlings treated with Pt was significantly larger than that of the seedlings treated with Gm or Gi. The correlation of mycorrhizal infection rate with root biomass and total root length was positive. This experiment suggests that the root morphology of C. glauca seedlings was changed by the mycorrhizal fungi, which promoted the accumulation and allocation of carbohydrates to the roots of C. glauca under conditions of drought stress.

Effects of exogenous nitrogen addition on carbon dioxide emission and enzyme activities of a forest soil.

WANG Yuan-yuan, CHEN Shu-tao**, LIU Yi-fan, ZHAI Xiao-yan

2015, 34(5):  1205-1210. 

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In order to investigate the effects of exogenous nitrogen addition on carbon dioxide emission and enzyme activities of a forest soil, an incubation experiment was performed with soil collected from a broadleave forest. There was 60 g dry soil in each jar used for soil incubation and there were 17 exogenous nitrogen addition treatments. Soil CO₂ emission rates were measured 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 15, 18, and 22 days after the exogenous nitrogen addition by using an infrared gas analyzer. Urease, invertase and catalase activities, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were also measured. Results showed that the accumulative soil CO₂ emissions for all treatments increased significantly with the increase of incubation days. Soil CO₂ emissions for most nitrogen treatments were lower than that for CK treatment, which indicated that the addition of exogenous nitrogen inhibited soil CO₂ emission. The addition of nitrogen increased soil urease activity; a linear regression function could be used to fit the relationship between soil urease activity and the amount of exogenous nitrogen added. Within the range of 0-0.0067 g nitrogen addition, soil invertase activity increased significantly with the increase of exogenous nitrogen. There was no significant linear relationship between soil catalase activity and exogenous nitrogen addition. Furthermore, within the range of 0-0.0055 g nitrogen addition, the relationship between DOC content and the amount of exogenous nitrogen could be significantly fitted with a linear function.

Soil N₂O flux from artificial alfalfa in different planting years.

XIE Ying-zhong**, XU Kun

2015, 34(5):  1211-1217. 

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In order to clarify factors affecting soil N₂O fluxes in artificial alfalfa grasslands in the semiarid region of China, the N₂O fluxes from soil and soil-vegetation system of artificial alfalfa in different planting years (1, 3, 4, 5, and 8 years old) were measured by using Static box-Gas Chromatography. The results showed that the N₂O fluxes from the soil and soil-vegetation system of artificial alfalfa were affected by planting years, and the N₂O fluxes of artificial alfalfa were in order of 4 years >5 years >3 years >8 years >1 year. The N₂O fluxes from the soil and the soil-vegetation system exhibited a seasonal variation of higher in spring and summer and lower in autumn, with highest values in midMay and midAugust, and being a source of N₂O. The N₂O fluxes from the soil-vegetation system were higher than that from the soil in different planting years. N₂O fluxes from the soil had significant positive correlations with the soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, C∶N ratio, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, soil temperature of soil layer (0-5 cm), and had a significant quadratic negative correlation with soil water content (0-10 cm). N₂O fluxes from the soil-vegetation system had a significant positive relationship with aboveground biomass. Soil total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, 0-10 cm soil water content and aboveground biomass were considered as the critical factors controlling N₂O fluxes of artificial alfalfa.

Response of plant diversity and soil organic mater to pig forage disturbance in Napahai wetland.

YAO Xi1, TIAN Kun1,2**, XIAO De-rong2, YANG Hong-sheng1, CAO Ping-lin1

2015, 34(5):  1218-1222. 

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Effects of different intensities of pig forage disturbance on plant community diversity nd soil physicochemical properties in meadow wetlands in Napahai Natural Reserve were studied. The results showed that the species number, plant diversity (including indexes of Shannon diversity, Margalef richness, and Pielou evenness), and biomass (below and aboveground) decreased as the grazing intensity increased. As the soil depth increased, the soil bulk density decreased first and then increased under light-intensity forage but its change was reversed under medium to heavy disturbance. The content of soil organic matter decreased as the grazing intensity increased. The soil organic matter content also decreased with the increase of soil depth, especially in the upper layer. Unreasonable grazing of pig was the main reason causing decrease in plant diversity, destruction of soil structure, and decline in content of soil organic matter.

Effect of long-term fertilization on labile organic carbon in cinnamon soil.

WANG Shuo-lin1, YANG Yan-ju2, WANG Gai-lan1**, ZHAO Xu1, CHEN Chun-yu1, HUANG Xue-fang3

2015, 34(5):  1223-1228. 

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Based on a 25-year long-term fertilization experiment, the effects of different fertilizing treatments on labile organic carbon and carbon pool management index in cinnamon soil were analyzed. The results showed that compared with no fertilizer application (CK), the treatments of different fertilizer applications increased the contents of WSOC and LFOC in cinnamon soil. The contents of WSOC in the treatments of manure combined with chemical nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer applications (M₁NP, M₂NP) were 93% and 99% higher than that of CK, respectively. The effect of higherrate manure applications with chemical fertilizer (M₂N, M₂NP) on LFOC were more significant, increasing the content of LFOC by 240% and 360% compared to CK, respectively. After longterm application of single chemical and manure fertilizer, the content of EOC kept no significant change, while it increased significantly under the treatment of applying manure combined with chemical fertilizer. The distribution proportion of WSOC increased under the application of single manure fertilizer but decreased in the other treatments. Compared with CK, the proportion of LFOC in SOC decreased significantly under the single nitrogen fertilization but increased significantly under higherrate manure application chemical fertilizer. The distribution proportion of EOC decreased under single chemical fertilizer application. Single chemical fertilizer application had a lower soil organic carbon pool management index (CPMI) compared with CK. Longterm application of manure alone or combined with chemical fertilizer were effective measures to promote CPMI. In these treatments, M₂N and M₂NP had the most significant effect, and the CPMI increased by 145% and 180% compared with CK, respectively. The correlation analysis indicated that under the longterm fertilization application, the contents of WSOC, LFOC and EOC were significantly positively correlated to each other, and had a strong positive correlation with the total organic carbon content.

Characteristics of soil organic nitrogen components of orchards with different planting ages.

ZHANG Yu-shu1,2,3, ZHANG Jin-bo1,3, ZHU Tong-bin1,3, CAI Zu-cong1,3**

2015, 34(5):  1229-1233. 

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In this study, the Bremner method was used to measure soil organic N components and to clarify the characteristics of soil organic N components with different orchard planting ages (0, 2, 10, 20, and 30 years). The results showed that the total N contents in the orchard soils increased with the planting age. The hydrolysable unidentified N, nonacid hydrolysable N, ammonium N, amino acid N and amino sugar N accounted for about 38.9%, 25.7%, 20.5%, 9.9% and 4.9% of the increased total N in soil, respectively. The percentage of non-acid hydrolysable N increased with the planting age, while the percentage of hydrolysable unidentified N and ammonium N decreased with the planting age. Thus, the sequence of organic N components in soil changed with the planting age. The organic N mineralization rate decreased with the increased percentage of nonacid hydrolysable N, affecting inorganic N supply rate in soil.

 

Effect of soil water stress on stomatal characters of greenhouse tomato leaves.

YANG Zai-qiang1,2**, TAN Wen1, LIU Zhao-xia1, CHEN Yan-qiu3

2015, 34(5):  1234-1240. 

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An experiment was conducted to examine the influence of soil water stress on the stomatal characters of greenhouse tomato leaves in May to August 2013. With Jingfen2 as the test material, four soil moisture grades were included in this experiment: well watered (70%-80% of water holding capacity), mild stress (60%-70% of water holding capacity), moderate stress (50%-60% of water holding capacity) and severe stress (30%-40% of water holding capacity). Digital microscopic imaging system and digital measuring system were applied to measure the stomatal length, width, aperture, and density. The results showed that the stomatal length and width, stomatal aperture and open ratio of tomato leaves decreased with the increase of water stress, and the reduction amplitude increased with the extension of stress time. Tomato stomatal length and width decreased synchronously, but the stomatal length was more significantly decreased than the stomatal width with the increase of water stress. The stomata gradually changed from long ovate to suborbicular. The stomatal density of the upper epidermis increased gradually, while the stomatal density of the lower epidermis presented a trend of decreasing first and then increasing. This study provided the scientific basis for water management of greenhouse tomato.

Effects of different fertilization strategies on growth and nutrition characteristics of Machilus thunbergii.

XU Jia-ke1, CHEN Wen2**, WANG Jing2, FEI Xing-hai2

2015, 34(5):  1241-1245. 

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A field experiment was conducted in a nursery of Zhoushan Forestry Institute in 2013 to compare the effects of different fertilization strategies \[i.e. no fertilization (CK), onetime fertilization (DF), linear fertilization (LF), average fertilization (AF) and exponential fertilization (EF)\] on growth and nutritional characteristics of M. thunbergii seedlings. The results showed that the treatment effect on plant height, ground diameter and biomass followed the order of EF>AF>LF>DF>CK. The height and basal diameter in EF treatment were significantly higher than in DF and CK (P<0.05), the total biomass and the nutrient contents in EF treatment were higher than in the other four treatments, but there was no significant difference between AF, LF and DF. As compared to DF, LF and AF, fertilizer efficiency by EF increased by 0.89, 1.42 and 1.73 times, respectively.

Effects of acid rainfall intensities and treatment ways on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Myrica rubra seedlings.

YU Xiao-peng1, YI Li-ta1,2**, YU Shu-quan1,2, SHEN Lu1

2015, 34(5):  1246-1252. 

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At three simulated acid rainfall intensities with pH values of 2.5 (severe), 4.0 (medium) and 5.6 (light), the responses of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Myrica rubra seedlings were studied in three stress ways, i.e. only the aboveground part of seedlings exposed to acid rain (T1), both of the seedlings and soil exposed to acid rain (T2), only the soil exposed to acid rain (T3) compared with blank control (CK). The relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), PS Ⅱ maximal photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m), PS Ⅱ potential activity (F_v/F_o), and PS actual photochemical quantum yield (Yield) under each stress showed T3>T1>T2 within six months, and T1>T3>T2 after six months. It indicated that T2 had the strongest inhibition on seeding. T1 had the stronger inhibition at the early stage while T3 showed the stronger inhibition at the later stage. All chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in the three stress ways were lower than those in the CK group under the severe acid rainfall intensity, while T1 and T3 had higher values than the CK group under the medium and light acid rainfall intensities. It indicated that M. rubra seedlings had strong tolerance ability to acid rain. Acid rainfall at certain intensities could increase the values of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of M. rubra. The values of F_v/F_m, F_v/F_o and Yield were higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. Significant differences in the values of F_v/F_m and F_v/F_o were found among T1, T2 and T3.

 

Impact of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration and temperature on growth and development of super rice.

LAI Shang-kun1, ZHUANG Shi-teng1, WU Yan-zhen1, WANG Yun-xia2, ZHU Jian-guo3, YANG Lian-xin1**, WANG Yu-long1

2015, 34(5):  1253-1262. 

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Using Chinese FACE (Free Air gas Concentration Enrichment) facility, we conducted a field experiment to investigate the impacts of ambient air (Ambient), elevated \[CO₂\] (EC, Ambient+200 μmol·mol^-1), elevated temperature (ET, Ambient+2 ℃) and elevated \[CO₂\]+elevated temperature (EC+ET) on growth and development of a super rice cultivar ⅡY084. The results showed that the heading and maturity stage arrived 1-3 days later in EC and EC+ET treatments than in Ambient, but no response was detected in ET treatment. Compared with Ambient, EC and EC+ET treatments significantly increased the final dry weight per stem by 49% and 40%, respectively, but ET treatment showed the opposite tendency. On average, leaf, stem and sheath, panicle and aboveground biomass at maturity increased under EC by 40% (P<0.01), 69% (P<0.01), 30% (P<0.01), and 39% (P<0.01), but decreased under ET by 11% (P<0.05), 21% (P=0.14), 31% (P<0.01) and 26% (P<0.01), respectively. The respective increase due to EC+ET treatment was 40% (P<0.05), 47% (P<0.05), 10% (P=0.33) and 18% (P<0.05), respectively. In general, aboveground biomass and its components at heading and 20 days after heading showed a similar pattern, with the magnitude of responses being less than those at maturity. In contrast to biomass production, less effect of CO₂ or temperature treatment was found on dry matter allocation in plants. EC and EC+ET treatments significantly increased the concentration and content of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) in stem and sheath at the maturity stage, but ET showed the opposite trend. The above results indicated that, as for super rice ⅡY084, the combination of elevated CO₂ concentration and temperature in the near future would result in increases in the concentration and content of NSC in stem and sheath, total biomass production and its components at harvest time, but the magnitudes of the increases are less than those by elevated CO₂ concentration alone.

Effects of deep water irrigation with notillage and straw mulching on greenhouse gases emissions and yield of late rice.

FU Zhi-qiang**, LIU Yi-yi, LONG Pan, ZHONG Juan, LONG Wen-fei

2015, 34(5):  1263-1269. 

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In order to comprehensively evaluate ecological significance of the watersaving cultivation mode “reserving water in early rice to use for late rice” in double cropping rice of southern China, a field experiment was conducted to explore the combined effects of deep water irrigation in rice translating stage with notillage and rice straw mulching on yield and greenhouse gases emissions. The results showed that, compared with the convention cultivation (CK), the photosynthetic rates of watersaving cultivation mode were increased by 9.6%-15.2% at the heading stage of rice (P<0.01), whereas the water use efficiency of single leaf was decreased by 13.3%-17.4% (P<0.01). Also, the watersaving cultivation model reduced the number of spikelets in single panicle and the setting rate, subsequently decreasing the rice yield significantly (P<0.05). Compared with CK, CH₄ emission in the 20cmwaterlayer irrigation treatment was reduced by 6.1%, but was increased by 6.5% and 4.0% in the 15 and 10cmwaterlayer irrigation treatments, respectively. Meanwhile, the N₂O emissions in the 20 and 15cmwaterlayer irrigation treatments were increased. On the whole, the global warming potential (GWP) and CO₂ equivalent emissions per unit of yield in the 20cmwaterlayer irrigation treatment were lower than that of CK. In conclusion, watersaving cultivation model of 20cmwaterlayer irrigation in the transplanting stage with no-tillage and straw mulching can ensure the success of late rice transplanting, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve economic and ecological benefits of rice farming.

 

Evaluation of ecosystem services of wheatmaize cropping system under different farming modes in the rainfed area of southern Henan Province.

LI Xiang-dong**, ZHANG De-qi, WANG Han-fang, SHAO Yun-hui, FANG Bao-ting, YUE Jun-qin, LU Feng-rong, MA Fu-ju, QIN Feng, YANG Cheng

2015, 34(5):  1270-1276. 

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The ecosystem services of the cropland under different farming modes in the rainfed region in southern Henan Province were evaluated using monetary normalization method. In this region, winter wheatsummer maize rotation is the major farming practice. Data of field experiment during 2007-2014 were used. Six farming modes were designed: traditional tillage (T₁), nonstraw mulching and non-subsoiling before sowing for corn + straw mulching and nontillage for wheat (T₂), straw mulching and nonsubsoiling for corn + nonstraw mulching and nontillage for wheat (T₃), nonstraw mulching and subsoiling before sowing for corn + nonstraw mulching and nontillage for wheat (T₄), straw mulching and subsoiling before sowing for corn + straw mulching and nontillage for wheat (T₅), and nonstraw mulching and nonsubsoiling for corn + strawreturn and rotary tilling (T₆). The ecosystem service values of agricultural production, organic matter accumulation, nutrition accumulation and cycling, water storage, and air regulation were assessed. The results showed that T₅ had the highest value of total ecosystem services (49326 yuan·hm^-2), followed by T₁ (45345 yuan·hm^-2), and then T₄, T₂, T₃, and T₆ in order. The total ecosystem services value of T₅ was 8.78%, 9.67%, 13.46%, 13.57% and 19.03% higher than T₁, T₄, T₂, T₃ and T₆, respectively. The results suggested that mode T₅ is extendable in the rainfed region in southern Henan Province because it fits the ecological and climatic features and the local crop production system.

 

Alleviation effects of spraying alginate-derived oligosaccharide on physiological indexes of wheat seedlings under chloryrifos stress.

ZHANG Shou-dong1,3, ZHANG Tong-zuo1, HAN Xiao-di2**, SU Jian-ping1

2015, 34(5):  1277-1281. 

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Alginatederived oligosaccharide plays an aregulatory role in the growth and development of plants. The alleviation effects of spraying alginatederived oligosaccharide at different concentrations (0, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%) on physiological characters of wheat (Qingfeng No. 1) seedlings under chlorpyrifos stress were investigated in order to discuss the influences of alginatederived oligosaccharide on plant resistance. The results showed that chlorpyrifos decreased the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll in wheat seedlings (P<0.05), but significantly increased the contents of proline, soluble protein and soluble sugars (P<0.05), thus inhibited the accumulation of total biomass and aboveground biomass, making the ratio of root to shoot increase. By contrast, spraying alginatederived oligosaccharide played a significant role in mitigation in all the above mentioned physiological and biochemical changes (P<0.05), especially at the concentration of 0.4% (P<0.01). It was concluded that alginatederived oligosaccharide improved the physiological activity of wheat seedlings to some extent, thus strengthened the plant resistance against chlorpyrifos stress.

Spatial-temporal characteristics of rubber chilling injury in China during 1961-2010.

LIU Shao-jun1,2, ZHOU Guang-sheng3**, FANG Shi-bo3

2015, 34(5):  1282-1288. 

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The characteristics of rubber chilling injury were analyzed by annual integrative chilling injury indexes based on the “rubber chilling injury grade (QX/T 169-2012)” of China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and the related meteorological data during 1961-2010 in major rubber producing areas in China. The results indicated that rubber radiation chilling injury and advection chilling injury showed obvious spatial differences. The high annual average accumulative temperatures of radiation type rubber chilling injury appeared in Yunnan and Fujian provinces, while the high annual average accumulative temperatures of advection type rubber chilling injury appeared in Guangxi, Fujian, Guangdong provinces and Pingbian of Yunnan Province. The occurrence frequencies of moderate, severe, severe rubber chilling injury showed a decreasing tendency, while light rubber chilling injury showed an increasing tendency during 1961-2010. The average occurrence frequencies of light, medium, heavy and severe rubber chilling injury were 3.50%, 28.24%, 14.93%, and 15.93%, respectively. In Jinghong and Mengna of Yunnan Province and Hainan Island, the occurrence frequencies of rubber chilling injury were far lower than those in the whole study area. The results provide scientific reference for decision-making in coping with the rubber chilling injury in China.

 

Factors influencing photosynthesis of three typical plant species in Beishan Mountain of Lanzhou based on path analysis.

XU Chun-hua1, ZHANG Hua1,2**, ZHANG Lan1, KANG Ya-rong1

2015, 34(5):  1289-1294. 

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The CI-340 Portable Photosynthesis System and WatchDog 2000 Weather Station were employed to measure the photosynthesis of Platycladus orientalis L., Caragana korshinskii Kom. and Tamarix austromongolica Nakai in the Beishan Mountain of Lanzhou. The influencing factors of photosynthesis were observed and analyzed by path analysis. The results showed that: (1) The main physiological determinant factors were different among the three plants: transpiration rate for P. orientalis, intercellular CO₂ concentration for C. korshinskii and leaf temperature for T. austromongolica. There were also obvious distinctions in the main physiological limiting factors among the three plants: leaf temperature for P. orientalis and C. korshinskii, and transpiration rate for T. austromongolica. (2) The three plant species differed in determinant environmental factors affecting their photosynthesis. Photosynthetically active radiation was the major environmental determinant for P. orientalis, and air relative humidity for C. korshinskii and T. austromongolica. However, soil moisture was the major environmental limiting factor for P. orientalis and T. austromongolica, and atmospheric CO₂ concentration for C. korshinskii.

Germination characteristics of Quercus virginiana seeds.

SONG Yi-gang1, DENG Min1**, WANG Yan-ting1,2

2015, 34(5):  1295-1300. 

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Quercus virginiana is a dominant tree species of sclerophyll broadleaf forest, native to the Coastal Plain of the southern and southeastern United States. Q. virginiana was introduced to eastern China coast as a coast protection forest and landscape tree species because of its high salt and wind resistance. We studied the characteristics of water uptake and water loss of the seed, as well as the effect of salinity, temperature and sowing depth on seed germination. The results showed that the water uptake and water loss of the acorn was very fast. The seeds were inactivated when the moisture content of fruit decreased to approximately 15%. The tree had high salt tolerance during the seed germination and seedling stage. Both low and high temperatures prohibited the seed germination of Q. virginiana. The sowing depth of 0-10 cm had no effect on the percentage of seed germination, but the germination index significantly decreased with the increase of sowing depth. The results indicated that raising seedlings from seeds is suitable for Q. virginiana. Seed germination of Q. virginiana adapts well to the environmental factors of saline and sand burial, benefiting its population renewal and expansion in coastal regions, and hence, Q. virginiana could be suitable for planting in subtropical coast of China.

RAPD analysis on genetic diversity of wild populations of Carya cathayensis in southern mountainous area of Anhui Province.

GUO Chuan-you**, WANG Bei-bei, LU Yan-zhen, ZHANG Xing-wang

2015, 34(5):  1301-1306. 

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Genetic diversity and genetic differentiation were examined in four wild populations of Carya cathayensis in southern mountainous area of Anhui Province using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. As analyzed by POPGENE software, a total of 139 discernible loci were obtained from all populations using 15 random primers, 62.59% of which (87 fragments) were polymorphic loci, with an average percentage of polymorphic loci as 43.35% for all populations. At species level, Nei’s genetic diversity (H=0.124) and Shannon’s information index (I=0.208) indicated that C. cathayensis had a relatively low genetic diversity. The higher value of differentiation (G_st=0.417) and the lower value of gene flow (N_m=0.700) showed that the geographic isolation has an obvious influence among populations.

 

Functional diversity of forest communities in Qiliyu, Shanxi.

XUE Qian-ni, BI Run-cheng, YAN Ming**

2015, 34(5):  1307-1312. 

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By measuring 8 functional traits of various species, including leaf dry matter content, specific leaf area, leaf area, leaf width, leaf length, leaf thickness, plant height and cover, we calculated six functional diversity indices, including functional attribute diversity, modified functional attribute diversity, convex hull hypervolume, functional evenness, quadratic entropy, and functional dispersion of forest communities in Qiliyu, Shanxi. The results showed that: (1) Functional richness indices of poplarbirch forest were generally higher, those of Juglans cathayensis forest and Quercus wutaishanica forest were intermediate, and those of coniferous forest were lowest in all forest types, indicating that functional richness was related with succession stages. (2) Functional richness indices were positively correlated with species abundance and the Shannon index significantly. Two functional divergence indices were positively correlated with species evenness and Shannon indices significantly. These results indicated the differences of functional diversity were largely caused by differences in amount and composition of plant species. (3) According to the results of principal component analysis (PCA), functional diversity indices could be divided into three main categories, each of which was corresponding to a single aspect of functional diversity: The first principal component axis could be regarded as functional richness factor, the second one as functional divergence factor, and the third one as functional evenness factor. The results showed that functional diversity indices were correlated with each other and independent from each other.

Interspecific association analysis of dominant species in Sambucus williamsii community in Taiyue Mountain of Shanxi Province.

CAO Jing, BAI Yu-hong, ZHANG Qin-di, BI Run-cheng**

2015, 34(5):  1313-1319. 

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Based on 2×2 contingency table, and by using quantitative analysis methods, this paper studied the interspecific relationships amongst 595 species pairs of the 35 dominant woody species of Sambucus williamsii community in Taiyue Mountain Nature Reserve. Variance analysis showed that the interspecific correlation of the 35 dominant populations was not significant, and that the distribution of the species was relatively independent. The χ² test showed that amongst the 595 species pairs, 239 pairs were positively correlated, while 349 pairs were negatively correlated, and the correlation ratio was 0.68. Pearson’s correlation coefficient test showed that 174 pairs were positively correlated, while 421 pairs were negatively correlated, and the correlation ratio was 0.41. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient test showed that 218 pairs were positively correlated, 377 pairs were negatively correlated, and the correlation ratio was 0.58. Compared to the χ² test, the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient tests had higher sensitivity. For vast majority of the 595 species pairs, their interspecific relationships did not reach significant levels, indicating that the S. williamsii community in Wulu Mountain Nature Reserve was of obviously secondary succession. Based on the ways of adaptation to the environment and the leading ecological factors, and facilitated by principal components analysis, the 35 dominant populations were divided into three ecological species groups.

Dynamics and ecological niche of weed communities in rape field of Linzhi, Tibet.

NI Ma-qu-zhen, FANG Jiang-ping**, ZHENG Wei-lie, HAO Wen-yuan

2015, 34(5):  1320-1324. 

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Relative abundance and niche of weed communities in the rape field of Linzhi, Tibet were investigated. Seven families and 11 species were observed in the rape field and Leguminosae, Poaceae and Chenopodiaceae were the three major family. Cirsium lanatum, Plantago asiatica, Avena fatua, Medicago lupulina, Poa annua and Vicia angustifolia were the predominant species. In addition, we identified the variation characteristics of dominant weed species. MidApril was the initial period and early May and late June were the two peaking periods of weed growing. M. lupulina had the widest ecological niche and therefore serious harm to rape. P. asiatica and C. lanatum had certaindegree harm to rape. P. annua and P. asiatica had the largest overlap, which were larger than the horizontal and vertical ecological niches of A. fatua, and had similar utilization of resource. Therefore, we can use relative abundance and niche to identify the dominant weed species and predict their harm to rape.

 

Plant species diversity and its response to environmental factors in typical river riparian zone in the middle and lower reaches of Yellow River.

ZHAO Qing-he1,2, MA Li-jiao1,2, LIU Qian1,2, DING Sheng-yan1,2**, TANG Qian1,2, LU Xun-ling1,

2015, 34(5):  1325-1331. 

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It is indispensable to investigate species diversity for maintaining the integrity of riparian ecosystems. In this study, integrating the BraunBlanquet coverabundance scale and the quadrat sampling methods, we investigated diversity characteristics of plant community in typical river riparian zones in the middle and lower reaches of Yellow River, and analyzed the relationship between herbaceous plant diversity and environmental factors. The results showed that a total of 36 families, 78 genera, and 86 plant species were observed from 52 community quadrats in the study area. Plant community species composition was rather rich, while dominant species was not obvious. In a single community quadrat, species composition was simple. However, obvious difference existed between different quadrats regarding species composition and diversity. Moreover, species diversity was relatively low for the middle stream areas that were disturbed seriously by human activities, indicating that plant species diversity in the study areas was influenced seriously by habitat fragmentation caused by human disturbance. Redundancy analysis showed that altitude and distance to river were important factors influencing plant diversity of riparian zones in the middle and lower reaches of Yellow River.

 

Main factors driving interannual variability of chlorophyll-a and the influence of future climate on chlorophyll-a in Lake Taihu.

LI Hong-li**, WANG Jian-hong, CHENG Jun, CHEN Zhong-xiao, WANG Chang-you

2015, 34(5):  1332-1341. 

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Based on observation data of atmosphere and Lake Taihu from 1985 to 2011 and the air temperature data (RCP4.5) of the model CNRM-CM5 output, partial leastsquares regression (PLSR) was used to analyze the annual relationships between chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and air temperature, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), inorganic phosphorus (IP), dissolved silicon (Si), and to forecast the effect of future climate warming on Chl-a. The results showed that from 1980 to 2011, annual mean air temperature in Lake Taihu had been increasing at a rate of about 0.73 ℃·10 a^-1. Chl-a concentration also appeared an increasing trend at about 0.43 μg·L^-1 per year from 1985 to 2011. For nutrients, TN and Si had a more significantly increased trend than TP and IP. Relative to nutrients, air temperature was a dominant factor controlling the annual variation of Chl-a concentration according to the correlation analysis and PLSR. Furthermore, the variability of Chl-a concentration more depended on TN and Si than TP and IP. Under RCP4.5 Scenario, the future annual mean air temperature would increase at a rate of 0.19 ℃·10 a^-1 in Lake Taihu. Under current nutrient conditions, the phytoplankton biomass (Chl-a concentration) would also have a significantly increasing tendency. According to the 10-year running average value of Chl-a concentration, the increasing tendency would reach the peak value (34.18 μg·L^-1) during 2075-2085. If reducing the TN concentration to half of the present value, the peak value of Chl-a would be 28.91 μg·L^-1 during 2075-2085 and would be less than the minimum value of Chl-a concentration in the current conditions, which could mitigate the effect of climate warming on eutrophication.


 

Effects of nutrient on phytoplankton growth in the waters of the Nansha Islands in summer.

CHEN Lu1,2, DAI Ming1, XIAO Ya-yuan1, LIU Yong1, CHEN Zuo-zhi1, LIN Hua-jian1, WEI Xiao-lan3, LI Chun-hou1**

2015, 34(5):  1342-1350. 

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To investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on the growth of phytoplankton, an enrichment incubation experiment was carried out in the waters of Nansha Islands in summer of 2013. Two experimental sites, S1 (9°30′N, 109°30′E) and S2 (4°30′N, 109°30′E), were in the southwest continental shelf and near the James shoal area, respectively. The results showed that the chlorophyll-a increased significantly (P<0.05) after addition of single N or mixed N and P. The chlorophyll-a concentration increased from 0.05 mg·m^-3 to 0.29 and 0.80 mg·m^-3 at S1 site, and from 0.09 mg·m^-3 to 0.79 and 1.02 mg·m^-3 at S2 site after addition of single N and mixed N and P, respectively. However, the enrichment of P did not promote the phytoplankton growth because the chlorophyll-a concentration showed no significant increase by adding single P at both sites. The N concentration was found to be the limitation factor of phytoplankton growth at S1, but both N and P concentrations were at S2. Moreover, the most adaptable N/P ratio for phytoplankton growth should be between 5 and 25. The results of correlation analysis showed there was no significant relationship between the N/P ratio and the concentration or the growth rate of chlorophyll-a, suggesting that the N/P ratio would not influence the phytoplankton growth in the waters of Nansha Islands in summer.

Variation of environmental factors during Phaeocystis globosa blooms and its implications for the bloom decay.

LI Bo, LAN Wen-lu**, LI Tian-shen, LI Ming-min

2015, 34(5):  1351-1358. 

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Variations of environmental factors during two Phaeocystis globosa blooms were studied and the causes for the decay were discussed. The results showed that the algal colloid vesicles and cell density were 200-3000 ind·m^-3 and 1.8×10⁷-1.5×10⁸ cells·L^-1 respectively during the peaks of the blooms, and decreased to 1-200 ind·m^-3 and 1.0×10⁶-8.3×10⁷ cells·L^-1 respectively during the decaying period. Colloid vesicles and cell density markedly decreased during the decaying period and the environmental factors changed significantly during the decaying stage. Water temperature, pH, DO and COD contents decreased significantly, while the concentrations of DIN and reactive phosphate were low and the N/P ratio was under a trend of increase during the decay of blooms. It is speculated that phosphate limitation, low temperature, and high salinity were the major causes for the decay of P. globosa bloom. This study provided some clues for the construction of early warning system and the surveillance of red tide in future.


 

Seasonal variation in community structure of aquatic insects in the collapse lakes of Huaibei mining area.

LI Xiao-ming, JI Lei**, DENG Dao-gui

2015, 34(5):  1359-1366. 

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Seasonal variations in community structure of aquatic insects were investigated in the collapse lakes of Huaibei mining area (South Lake and East Lake) in 2013. A total of 30 species were collected, which belonged to 14 families and 6 orders. A total of 21 species were recorded in the South Lake, belonging to 12 families and 6 orders, while 27 species were recorded in the East Lake, belonging to 13 families and 5 orders. The average density of aquatic insects was 118.0 ind·m^-2 in the South Lake and 151.3 ind·m^-2 in the East Lake. The maximum density of aquatic insects was 259.0 ind·m^-2 in the South Lake and 335.2 ind·m^-2 in the East Lake. In the South Lake, Dytiscidae, Belostomatidae, Chironomidae and Corixidae were dominant in spring and winter, and Culicidae, Chironomidae, Libellulidae and Corixidae were dominant in summer and autumn. In the East Lake, Dytiscidae and Hydrophilidae were dominant in spring and winter, while Culicidae, Chironomidae, Libellulidae and Corixidae were dominant in summer and autumn. The Shannon index and Pielou index had obvious seasonal variations in the two lakes. Analysis of variance showed that the community structure of aquatic insects in the collapse lakes of Huaibei mining area varied significantly in different seasons. Redundancy analysis indicated that water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and transparency had decisive influence on the community structure of aquatic insects in the collapse lakes of Huaibei mining area.

 

Effect of ammonia in the tailwater from wastewater treatment plant on the growth of Myriophyllum spicatum.

WANG Ai-li, SUN Xu, CHEN Qian-kun, YANG Liu-yan**

2015, 34(5):  1367-1372. 

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In order to make better use of the submerged macrophyte to treat tailwater from wastewater treatment plant, Myriophyllum spicatum was exposed in tailwater to investigate its physiochemical responses to different concentrations of ammonia for 10 days. The results showed that a low concentration (<3.5 mg·L^-1) of ammonia could facilitate the growth of submerged macrophyte. When the ammonia concentration was more than 3.5 mg·L^-1, declined chlorophyll a and soluble protein contents as well as significantly increased proline content of M. spicatum were observed after 5 d exposure. Additionally, SOD activity of the plant significantly increased, indicating the appearance of oxidative stress, and the prolonged exposure (10 d) impaired the growth of M. spicatum exposed to high ammonia concentration (>3.5 mg·L^-1). The ammonia tolerance threshold of M. spicatum in the tailwater was 3.5 mg·L^-1 as determined in this study. Thus, remarkable attentions should be paid to ammonia concentration when submerged macrophytes were used to purify the tailwater in artificial wetland.

Rhizosphere microbial communities of three plants in vertical-flow constructed wetland.

LEI Xu1, LI Bing1,2, LI Xiao1, WANG Lu1, ZHU Jian1,2,3**

2015, 34(5):  1373-1381. 

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The present study was conducted to evaluate the composition and diversity of rhizosphere bacterial community of Pontedeira cordata, Canna indica and Thalia dealbata in verticalflow constructed wetland during operation in summer and autumn. All parameters were measured using PCR-DGGE and DNA sequencing technology. Results indicated that the types and quantity of microorganisms in the rhizosphere of the three plants were not all the same. Shannon indexes of P. cordata, C. indica and T. dealbata rhizosphere microorganisms were 2.91, 2.96 and 2.90, respectively, further explaining that the root of C. indica in the verticalflow constructed wetland could better enrich the microorganisms around the substrate and increased the diversity of bacterial community. The similarity analysis of rhizosphere microorganisms of the three plants showed that there was seasonal difference of microbial community structure. The rhizosphere microorganisms of C. indica and T. dealbata had higher similarity (>65%), indicating that the roots of these two plants were similar in the aggregation of microorganisms. Diversity of microbial community structure indicated that rhizosphere microbial community of the three plants in verticalflow constructed wetland during the experimental period belonged to 8 classes: α-Proteobacteria (14.37%), β-Proteobacteria (38.13%), γ-Proteobacteria (6.87%), ε-Proteobacteria (16.86%), δ-Proteobacteria (6.87%), Actinobacteria (8.76%), Bacteroidetes (4.38%), and Nitrospira (3.75%). β-Proteobacteria was the main group of bacteria enriched by the various plants in the vertical-flow constructed wetland during the experimental period. This experiment provides some theoretical basis for the species optimization of artificial wetland system in the future.

Influence of voltage on pyrene removal and microbial community in soil during electrokinetic remediation.

WEI Wei1, LI Feng-mei2, YANG Xue-lian1**, WANG Sa3, GUO Shu-hai2, LI Gang2

2015, 34(5):  1382-1388. 

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Electrobioremediation is an innovative method to remedy organiccontaminated soil. This paper studied the effect of voltage on pyrene degradation and microbial community in soil during remediation process. The results showed that pyrene degradation and microbial community composition were different at the anode and cathode regions with the change of voltage. There was a positive correlation between voltage and pyrene degradation (r=0.55, P<0.01) at the anode region, and the highest percentage of pyrene degradation reached 87.5% under the treatment of 2.0 V·cm^-1 at anode region. Meanwhile, with the increase of voltage, the pyrene degradation rate increased at first and then decreased at the cathode region, and the highest percentage of pyrene degradation reached 87.8% under the treatment of 1.2 V·cm^-1 at the cathode region. A negative relationship existed between microbial activity and diversity and voltage at the anode region, while the microbial activity and diversity showed the same trend as the pyrene degradation at the cathode region. According to the results of pyrene degradation and microbial community, 1.2 V·cm^-1 was the most suitable voltage, which ensured the electric oxidation and maximized the role of microbial degradation. Our study provided the theoretical foundation and technical method for the control of electrobioremediation process.

Mercury pollution assessment for vegetables from a cropland near a closed mercury mine.

ZHANG Qian1,2, ZHU Xue-mei2**, FU Hai-hui2, YANG Yan-mei1, JIA Qin2, YANG Yong-jie3

2015, 34(5):  1389-1395. 

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Mercury pollution in 15 vegetable species collected from a cropland near a closed mercury mine and their health risk were assessed in this article. The results showed that the concentration of total mercury differed with vegetable species, with an order of leafy vegetables > solanaceous vegetables > tuber vegetables. Among the 15 vegetables, the concentration of total mercury in lettuce was the highest (57 mg·kg^-1), whilst that in white radish was the lowest (1.67 mg·kg^-1). For the leafy and tuber vegetables, the concentrations of total mercury differed greatly in different parts of vegetable. For six leafy vegetables and two tuber vegetables, the concentration of total mercury in aboveground part was higher than that in underground part. For six leafy vegetables, the concentrations of total mercury in outer part, central part and their mixture were in the order of outer > mixture > central. For the two tuber vegetables, the concentrations of total mercury in leaf, root and root skin were in the order of leaf > root skin > root. The concentrations of total mercury in air and soil were 128-1109 ng·m^-3 and 3.88-91.62 mg·kg^-1 respectively, indicating that both the air and soil in this area were polluted by mercury. The risk assessment indicated that eating vegetables alone did not pose a risk to health of the residents living in this area, but it might not be true if other mercury exposure pathways were comprehensively considered.

Mercury pollution in rice and related risk of human methylmercury exposure in Wanshan mercury mining area.

2015, 34(5):  1396-1401. 

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To evaluate the risk of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure through rice consumption for local residents, 168 rice samples were collected at seven sites of two catchments in Wanshan mercury (Hg) mining area to analyze the total mercury (THg) and MHg concentrations. THg concentrations in rice ranged from 2.4 to 401.0 ng·g^-1, with an average of 42.4 ng·g^-1, and THg concentrations in 51% of samples exceeded the national food standard for Hg (20 ng·kg^-1). MeHg concentrations varied from 1.1 to 45.1 ng·g^-1, with an average of 11.7 ng·g^-1, and it accounted for 44.8% of THg in rice on average. A significant positive correlation (r=0.44, P<0.01) was observed between THg and MeHg concentrations in rice, while a negative correlation relationship (r=-0.59, P<0.01) was found between rice THg and the percentage of THg as MeHg. Heavy mercury pollutions were found at sites in the upstream region which are close to the mine wastes and THg concentrations in rice samples of the different sites demonstrated a gradient of decrease with increasing the distance from the pollution source in the two catchments. The risk assessment indicated that, local residents in Hg highly polluted areas (such as Dashuixi, Meizixi, and Baiguoshu) had a high risk of MeHg exposure through rice consumption and residents in other areas were also at potential risk of MeHg exposure.


 

Effects of selenium on mercury speciation and its bioavailability in paddy soils.

YAN Min1,2, GUO Jian-yang1, FENG Xin-bin1, ZHANG Chao1,2, QIU Guang-le1**

2015, 34(5):  1402-1406. 

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The influence of selenium (Se) supplementation on mercury (Hg) speciation and its bioavailability in paddy soil was investigated using the sequential selective extraction method. Results showed that organochelated Hg, elemental Hg, and sulfide Hg were dominant, accounting for more than 90% of the total Hg in soils both with and without Se supplementation. The bioavailable portion of Hg in soil was limited, accounting for only 0.27% of the total. Se supplementation had a significant influence on the abundances of organochelated Hg and elemental Hg, but little influence on its other forms. The abundance of organochelated Hg was gradually decreased with the increase of Se supplementation in soils, while the change of elemental Hg was opposite. Se supplementation greatly mitigated the bioavailability of Hg in soils. We postulate that organochelated Hg is the important source for the bioavailable portion of Hg in soils. The shift of the balance between organochelated Hg and bioavailable Hg in soils is probably the main reason for the decreased bioavailability of Hg when the soils were added with Se.

Time budget and activity pattern of mixed captive Manis javanica.

WANG Hua, ZHANG Xin-yu, BAO Yi-xin**, LI Hai-hong, GONG Kun, REN Peng

2015, 34(5):  1407-1412. 

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We recorded daily behaviors of mixed captive Manis javanica with two infrared video cameras from March to April, 2013, and analyzed the time budget and activity pattern by using the scan sampling method and focal animal sampling method. The behaviors included feeding (eating, drinking), locomotion (climbing, walking and pacing), social behavior (climbing back, pursuing), hiding (activity unseen), and others (pause, digging, excretion and egestion, bathing). The results showed that the main behaviors of M. javanica were eating (18.56%), walking (16.11%), climbing (11.51%), and social behavior (11.51%). Few digging behaviors (0.92%) appeared at night, and abnormal repetitive behaviors (4.40%) occurred occasionally. Subjects were active intermittently from 19:00 to 06:00. The activity peak occurred between 20:00 and 23:00, which was also the most active period of eating, walking and social behaviors. Eating showed a significant correlation with social behavior in time distribution (R²=0.920, P<0.001) and walking behavior (R²=0.796, P<0.001). We considered that foodproviding time and feeding time might lead to the activity pattern of socially captive M. javanica. In the captive environment, the animals always exhibit stereotyped behaviors but the trend might decrease in the mixed captive environment. Therefore, in order to avoid the decrease of the behavior diversity of M. javanica, we can richen the captive environment, and also provide a mixed captive environment.

 

Evaluation of ecological security based on soil and water conservation in Gansu Province.

LI Zong-jie, TIAN Qing**, SONG Ling-ling, KANG Fei-long, WEI Ya-qian

2015, 34(5):  1420-1426. 

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Using the statistical yearbook, rural yearbook and bulletin of soil and water conservation data in Gansu Province, based on the pressurestateresponse (P-S-R) model, 12 evaluation indexes were selected to construct the ecological security evaluation system and to evaluate spatial ecological safety in Gansu Province. The results showed that: (1) Significant changes had taken place in the three major indexes in the study area in past 26 years. The average contributions of condition indicators, response indicators, and pressure indicators were 30%, 27.5%, and 42.5%, respectively. (2) The ecological safety shifted from 0.31 in 1986 to 0.67 in 2011 based on the analysis of three major river basins. The ecological safety had improved, but the task to guarantee the ecological security is still very arduous. (3) The average ecological safety ranged from 0.36 to 0.58 in 14 cities (prefectures) from 1986 to 2011. The overall ecological safety was at Ⅲ and Ⅳ levels in the whole study area. The ecological safety of Tianshui was higher and relatively stable; however, other regions should strengthen environmental protection based on the current situations, ensuring the regional ecological security.

 

Changes of ecological spaces in Beijing’s plain areas between 1992 and 2013.

2015, 34(5):  1427-1434. 

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In order to understand the spatialtemporal change characteristics of ecological spaces in the plain areas of Beijing, and to identify places that are key for improvement during the largescale afforestation project, we studied the relevant variations of ecological spaces between 1992 and 2013 using 3S (RS, GIS and GPS) technology and landscape analysis methods. The results showed that the percentage of ecological space in Beijing’s plain areas dropped from 53.2% to 40.97% during this period. Per capita share of the ecological spaces also deceased from 360.61 m² to 132.15 m². From the city’s center to the suburb area, ecological spaces tended to be more abundant and aggregated, but this distribution gap seemed to be narrowed with time. Ecological spaces in the south and southeast of Beijing’s plain areas decreased dramatically during the past 22 years, as well as per capita share in the areas between the 5th and the 6th Ring Road. Ecological spaces along the 3rd Ring Road were highly fragmented. The main composition of ecological spaces within a 5 km radius circular area of separated towns or communities in Beijing’s plain areas gradually transformed from grasses/croplands into woods/shrubs during the 22 years. These changes might be driven by population explosion, urban sprawl, and the transformation of traditional croplands to plastic greenhouses or other land use types, while planting of urban forests in Beijing’s plain areas have continually made positive contributions to ecological spaces’ maintenance and restoration. The recent large-scale afforestation project in this area would provide a new golden opportunity for adjusting its ecological spaces. Besides, protection of water and croplands should also be emphasized along with increasing the forest cover.

 

Ecology and biology of Otis tarda: A review.

WANG Mu-yang1, XU Feng1, YANG Wei-kang1**, David BLANK1, ZHU Xin-sheng1,2

2015, 34(5):  1435-1440. 

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Great bustard (Otis tarda) is a large bird, inhabiting in the steppe and semidesert areas of Eurasia. During the last several decades, the distribution area and number of great bustard have declined drastically, and this species has disappeared in many parts of its former vast natural habitat due to the landuse changes, negative impact of land privatization, overhunting and poaching. Great bustard is ranked as a grade Ⅰ key protected wildlife species in China and defined as Vulnerable (VU) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Scientists from different countries have conducted numerous researches and published a lot of papers devoted to great bustard’s distribution, population number, diet, habitat selection, reproduction ecology, migration, and behavior. In this paper, we review and summarize all available information for this species in order to find and suggest new, more detailed researches and directions for further investigations.

Research advances in tail autotomy and regeneration of lizards.

HU Ying-chao, XIE Jian-yang, ZHU Qi-ping, DING Guo-hua**, LIN Zhi-hua

2015, 34(5):  1441-1447. 

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As one of the selfamputation behaviors, tail autotomy is an extreme and effective anti-predation strategy in many lizards. Tail autotomy takes place at preformed areas of weakness in the tail and there are two patterns of tail autotomy including intervertebral autotomy and intravertebral autotomy, and the latter is the main one. The lizards repair the tail through a regeneration mechanism after tail loss, so tail autotomy and regeneration of lizards have always occupied one of the central positions in studies of biology and ecology. Here, we summarize the research advances in tail autotomy and regeneration of lizards, paying particular attention to lizard species for which the studies on tail automoty and regeneration are available in China, influencing factors and costs of tail autotomy, and some studies of regeneration after tail autotomy. Efforts are made to point out the priority in further studies on tail autotomy and regeneration of lizards.

 

A overview on the process and mechanism of arsenic transformation and transportation in aquatic environment.

YANG Fen1,2, ZHU Xiao-dong1,2, WEI Chao-yang1**

2015, 34(5):  1448-1455. 

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Arsenic is a ubiquitous and carcinogenic element found in various species in the terrestrial aquatic environment, coming from both of natural geogenic and anthropogenic sources. During the past decades, numerous reports have documented that residents being exposed to excessive levels of arsenic through drinking water and food chain, may result in serious public health concern. Arsenic and its compounds are highly mobile in the ecosystem, being biological available to organisms and producing toxicities, which are, to a large extent, dependent on arsenic speciation and oxidizing state. It is thus imperative to identify and clarify the arsenic behaviors in the environment. This review summarizes the process and mechanism of arsenic transformation and transportation in waters, particularly at the sedimentwater interface. In addition, various factors that affect the retention and release of arsenic, such as Eh-pH, metalloid oxides, organic matter, clay minerals and microbial activities, are also presented with examples.

 

Evaluation of tea climate quality grade in Zhejiang.

JIN Zhi-feng1**, WANG Zhi-hai1, YAO Yi-ping1, LI Ren-zhong1, WANG Yue-fei2, LU Jian-wei3, YE Jian-gang4, XU Ping2

2015, 34(5):  1456-1463. 

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Tea quality is closely related to climate. Thus, it is significant to evaluate tea quality according to climate. Based on daily meteorological data observed at basic weather stations and automatic weather stations in Zhejiang Province in 2013, field measurement of tea quality indices and actual tea production, three meteorological indices affecting tea quality were proposed in this paper. And then an evaluation model of tea climate quality was established with the exponential weighted algorithm. The results showed that tea climate quality presented a singlepeak variation trend during growing season in 2013. The index of tea climate quality changed smoothly in spring, from 2.2 to 2.8 (level 1) in March and April and decreased from May. The minimum was found in summer (from July to middle August) with the value from 0 to 0.4 (level 4). After late August, the index increased gradually. The index in autumn was from 0.8 to 1.6 (levels 2 and 3). The spatial variation of tea climate quality was significant in 2013. Except for mountain areas, the index of spring tea was from 2.2 to 3.0 (level 1) across the province. The index of summer tea was from 0 to 0.8 (levels 3 and 4), and that of autumn tea was from 0.6 to 1.8 (levels 2 and 3). The spatial pattern and temporal change of tea climate quality evaluation results were consistent with that of tea production quality. The quality of spring tea (level 1) was better than autumn tea (levels 2 and 3), while the summer tea was the worst (level 4). The research results could provide scientific support for optimization of featured agriculture production.

Forest fire danger factors and their division in Shandong based on GIS and RS.

HUANG Bao-hua1,2,3,4, ZHANG Hua1**, SUN Zhi-jun4, ZHOU Li-xia5

2015, 34(5):  1464-1472. 

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Forest fire is one of the serious environmental problems in Shandong forest areas. MOD14A1 daily temperature anomaly/fire L3 level products of 2001-2010 and topography, vegetation, weather, anthropogenic and accessibility data in Shandong were used to evaluate fire causes. The spatial data of 15 variables that relate to forest fire/no fire were collected, and the functions of these variables and fire probability were estimated by using binomial Logistic regression model.
that high fire risk areas are mainly concentrated in Yellow River delta, Shandong northwest plain，include Heze, Jining, Zaozhuang south, Linyi southeast; moderate fire risk areas are mainly concentrated in Liaocheng, Binzhou south, Jinan north, Zibo northwest, Weifang east, Taian, Rizhao and Qingdao most areas (including Meng mountain forest region, Yi mountain forest region, Wulian mountain forest region, Culai mountain forest region, Ni mountain forest region, Tailai mountain forest region); Low fire risk areas mainly concentrated in Jinan south, Zibo south, Laiwu, Qingdao south and Shandong peninsula (including Jinan mountain forest area, Tai lai mountain forest area, Laoshan mountain forest area, Lu mountain forest area, Kunyu mountain forest region, Ya mountain forest region). Logistic regression results showed that factors influencing the fires were in order of annual average temperature, CTI, TPI, population density, vegetation type, annual precipitation, vegetation coverage, distance from the road, aspect, distance from the residents, farmers’ net income index, slope, annual average relative humidity, DEM, annual evaporation. The EXP (B) values of the top seven factors were greater than 1, having great contributions to forest fires. These results can be used as a strategic planning tool to better predict forest fire, and also be used as a tactical guide to help forest management personnel for fire protection area design.