Table of Content

10 April 2016, Volume 35 Issue 4

Previous Issue    Next Issue

Floral display of Saussurea dzeurensis: A test of the tradeoff of size and number at flower and capitulum levels.

LU Ning-na1, CAO Su-zhen2, WANG Yi-feng1*

2016, 35(4):  843-848. 

Asbtract ( 719 )   PDF (587KB) ( 352 )  

Floral display plays a vital role in attracting pollinators and reproductive success of plants. Theoretical studies show that there is a tradeoff between the size and number of flowers due to resource limitation, which constrains the evolution of floral display. But empirical studies did not frequently detect the tradeoff of flower size and number. This study aims to examine the amongpopulation variation in floral display of Saussurea dzeurensis, which distributes widely in QinghaiTibetan Plateau, and especially to examine the tradeoff of flower size and number at the capitulum and flower levels. The results showed that significantly positive correlations existed between capitulum number per plant, mean capitulum biomass flower number per capitulum and aboveground biomass, indicating that floral display size including the flower and capitulum levels depends on resource condition of individuals. Individuals from the highaltitude population were smaller and produced less capitula, but single capitulum mass, flower number and mass per capitulum did not vary significantly compared to the lowaltitude population. Although there was no tradeoff between capitulum size and number, a negative correlation between flower size and number of the highaltitude population shows a tradeoff between them. However, the tradeoff between flower size and number was not observed in the lowaltitude population. After controlling the effect of plant size, the relationships between size and number at the both capitulum and flower levels did not change, suggesting that the difference of resource acquisition among plants did not affect the tradeoff between the size and number at both flower and capitulum levels of S. dzeurensis. The relationship of flower size and number in plants may be complicated, and studies at population, individual and inflorescence levels will contribute to understanding the resource allocation of flowers and mechanism of flower display evolution.

 

Tradeoff between leaf size and leaf number of Potentilla acaulis in degraded alpine grassland.

WANG Ji-wei, ZHAO Cheng-zhang*, CHEN Jing, DU jing, SONG Qing-hua

2016, 35(4):  849-854. 

Asbtract ( 541 )   PDF (672KB) ( 378 )  

The tradeoff between leaf size and leaf number reflects the highly adaptable and selfregulatory abilities of plants in response to complex environmental conditions. With the method of the standardized major axis estimation, the relationships between individual leaf area and leafing intensity of Potentilla acaulis were studied in alpine grasslands at four levels of degradation (I, II, III, IV) on the northern slope of Qilian Mountains in northwest China. The results showed that, with the aggravation of the extent of grassland degradation, the height, coverage, soil water content of the grassland communities decreased, and the height, single leaf area and petiole length of P. acaulis decreased, while its leaf number, leaf thickness and coverage increased. A significant negative relationship between the individual leaf area and the leafing intensity was found in the four alpine grasslands (P<0.05), which reflected a tradeoff between the leaf size and number. Meanwhile, an isometric relationship was found between individual leaf area and leafing intensity in lightly and moderately degraded grasslands (P<0.05), whereas an allometric relationship was found between individual leaf area and leafing intensity in nondegraded and severely degraded grasslands. In brief, the configuration mode of tradeoff between leaf size and leaf number of P. acaulis reflects its plasticity mechanism of phenotype in degraded alpine grassland.

Comparison of transpiration characteristics in different aged rubber plantations.

LIN You-xing1,2, ZHANG Yi-ping1*, ZHAO Wei1,2, ZHANG Xiang1,2, DONG Yu-xin1,2, FEI Xue-hai1,2, LI Jing1,2

2016, 35(4):  855-863. 

Asbtract ( 700 )   PDF (1418KB) ( 397 )  

Sap flow density of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) of four ages (13 years old, young; 25 years old, middleaged; 33 years old, middle-old-aged; and 50 years old, overmature) in Xishuangbanna of Southwest China was measured by the Granier thermal diffusion probe technique from January 2013 to December 2014, and then scaled up to estimate standlevel transpiration. The results showed that, on day, month, season and year timescales, the middleaged trees had the highest mean sap flow density, being significantly higher than the other aged trees (P<0.01). The overmature stands had the highest annual transpiration rate (1212.49±42.80 mm per year), being significantly higher than those of the young and middle aged stands (P<0.01). With the increase of stand age, the sap flow density of rubber trees generally followed a parabola change, with the peak in the most vigorous middleaged stand. The transpiration of rubber stands increased with increasing stand age in general, and the overmature stand had the highest transpiration. The mean annual sap flow density of rubber stands in Xishuangbanna was estimated as 16.42±3.24 g·m^-2·s^-1 and the mean annual transpiration as 870.58±145.89 mm.

Influences of low temperature on the morphology of Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. in seeding stage.

TANG Li-sheng1, HU Fei2, WANG Hua1*

2016, 35(4):  864-870. 

Asbtract ( 670 )   PDF (1862KB) ( 317 )  

The low temperature injury index of Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. in seeding stage was explored in environmental climate chambers under seven low temperature conditions of -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1 and 2 ℃, and three duration levels of 1, 2 and 3 d for each condition. Morphology change and recovery situation of Z. mauritiana were observed after low temperature treatment. Moreover, five geographical displacements were conducted to observe Z. mauritiana morphology change and recover situation under different low temperature conditions. The result shows that the Z. mauritiana seedlings suffered damage when it was below -2 ℃, indicating that -2 ℃ was the threshold value of suffering damage at low temperature. When it was below -4 ℃, the mortality rate of Z. mauritiana reached 67%, indicating -4 ℃ was the death indicator at low temperature. The minimum temperature of above 0 ℃ in winter did not harm the tree body, flowers and fruits. Leaf cast was caused by dramatic weather changes for days. The results suggest that Z. mauritiana trees feature stronger endurance of cold weather than they do in Taiwan, providing a scientific basis for management and chill injury defense of Z. mauritiana in seedling stage.

Effects of high temperature on leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the north highbush blueberry.

HUANG Lei1, JIANG Guo-bin1, ZHU Yu2, DANG Cheng-hua3, WANG He-xin4, ZHANG Yun-xin3, WANG Li-shu3, LI Gen-zhu4, ZOU Ji-xiang1, ZHENG Yun-pu3,5*

2016, 35(4):  871-879. 

Asbtract ( 631 )   PDF (783KB) ( 363 )  

We examined the effects of temperature on the leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of two-year-old seedlings of three north highbush blueberry cultivars (Bluecrop, Duke, and Brigitta) in growth chambers. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), transpiration rate (T_r), and water use efficiency (WUE) of the three blueberry cultivars shared bellshaped curves with growth temperature, although their maximum values varied with the cultivars. Compared to 25 ℃, intercellular CO₂ concentrations (C_i) of the three cultivars decreased at 30 and 35 ℃, but increased at 40 ℃. Moreover, the results from electrolyte leakage and F_v/F_m demonstrated that the temperatures of 30 and 35 ℃ had little effects on the leaf structure and function, but the temperature of 40 ℃ damaged the cellular membrane structure of blueberry leaves. The temperature of 40 ℃ resulted in severely irreversible damages to both the PSⅡ reaction center structures and electron transport chains. In addition, the three blueberry cultivars had different abilities in resisting heat stress with the order of Brigitta>Bluecrop>Duke. These results may be helpful for further understanding the mechanisms of temperature on the north highbush blueberry cultivars, and provide basis for selection and introduction of heat tolerance cultivars.

Effects of lead/zinc tailings on photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant enzyme system of Ricinus communis L.

YI Xin-yu1, JIANG Li-juan1*, CHEN Jing-zhen2, LIU Qiang1, YI Shi-ming1

2016, 35(4):  880-887. 

Asbtract ( 523 )   PDF (1515KB) ( 268 )  

Effects of medium mixed with different contents of lead/zinc tailings on the photosynthetic capacity, active oxygen eliminating system and chloroplast ultrastructure of a castor bean variety, Xiangbi No. 1 were studied based on a pot experiment. The results showed that the chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic parameters, SOD, POD and CAT activities increased firstly, then declined with the increase of the tailings content, in particular those physiological and biochemical indices of group A (100% slag) decreased significantly. The contents of chla, chlb and total chlorophyll, the activities of POD and SOD of plants in group D (80% slag + 20% soil without Pollution) increased by 27%, 33%, 29%, 98% and 580% respectively, compared to control group G (50% loess + 50% peat). The observation of chloroplast ultrastructure indicated that there were degenerated lammella system, fewer starch grains and more swollen osmiophilic globule in the chloroplast of plant in group A than those of the other groups, which meant the damage of the chloroplast ultrastructure in group A was the most serious. Even though the grana lamellae vacuolated to some extent, the leaves had enough photosynthetic capacity to support plant growth when the slag ratio was up to 80%. Compared with control group, there was little change of the doublelayer capsule, internal grana and structure of thylakoid of plants potted in medium containing less than 60% slag. Moreover, the photosynthetic capacity and antioxidase activity were enhanced. All the results suggested that the castor bean was lead/zinc tolerant, and could be used for remediation of lead/zinc contaminated soils.


 

Rhizome dynamics and age structure of Phragmites australis population in heterogeneous habitats in Zhalong Wetland.

JIAO De-zhi1,2, HUANG Zhao-yue1, ZHOU Chan3, YANG Yun-fei2*

2016, 35(4):  888-895. 

Asbtract ( 651 )   PDF (690KB) ( 243 )  

lonal plant rhizome not only has the function of vegetative propagation and population expansion, but also acts as the physiological channel between the integration of bud and ramets in clonal family. By sampling the soil from a unit area, a comparative study was performed on rhizome length, rhizome biomass and rhizome dry matter storage of Phragmites australis growing in wet and aquatic habitats. The results showed that P. australis population growing in wet habitat was significantly superior to the one growing in aquatic habitat. The rhizome length increased slowly before August, while increased rapidly after August, with 3rd rhizome the longest and the 6th rhizome the shortest. Rhizome biomass and rhizome dry matter storage decreased at the beginning but increased afterwards. Both of them were lowest in August, and then started to increase until the period of dormancy in October. By that time, the rhizome biomass was much greater than that in the early stage of vegetative growth, with 3rd rhizome the largest and 1st rhizome the least. Regarding dry matter storage, the 5th rhizome was the heaviest, while the 1st rhizome was the lightest. There was a linear correlation of the rhizome length and the age spectrum of different age classes with the growing months. Meanwhile, there was a quadratic function correlation between rhizome biomass of different age classes and growing months, a linear correlation between age spectrum of rhizome biomass and growing months, and a quadratic function correlation between rhizome dry matter storage in five growth periods and age classes. The similar seasonal patterns were observed on the growth of rhizomes length, rhizome biomass and rhizome dry matter storage of P. australis population. The lifetime of rhizome associated with different age classes had a close relationship to the consumption and input backoff of nutrients. The heterogeneous habitats had an effect on both rhizome dynamics and age structure of P. australis population in the entire growth period, and the difference was relatively stable.

The allocation pattern of carbon storage and carbon sequestration potential in Chinese fir plantation ecosystems in Hunan Province.

LIANG Meng-jie1,3, CHEN Long-chi1,2, WANG Si-long1,2*

2016, 35(4):  896-902. 

Asbtract ( 657 )   PDF (790KB) ( 438 )  

The allocation pattern of carbon storage in forest ecosystems significantly affects the terrestrial carbon budget, but such pattern is unclear in the Chinese fir plantations in Hunan Province. On the basis of the field investigation of sample plots in Hunan Province and the data of the Eighth National Forest Inventory, we calculated the carbon storage and density of Chinese fir plantation ecosystems in Hunan Province. The results showed that the carbon density of Chinese fir plantation ecosystems increased with the increasing stand age. The ecosystem carbon densities of young, middleaged and mature plantations were 125.70, 138.57 and 193.72 Mg·hm^-2, respectively. The vegetation carbon densities of young, middleaged and mature plantations were 18.72, 38.86 and 62.48 Mg·hm^-2, respectively. The soil carbon densities of young, middleaged and mature plantations were 105.49, 97.23 and 126.70 Mg·hm^-2, respectively. The total carbon storage of Chinese fir plantation ecosystem was 307.48 Tg, of which, the carbon storage in young, middleaged and mature plantations was 90.57, 91.87 and 125.1 Tg, respectively. The carbon sequestration potential of Chinese fir plantation ecosystem was 85.56 Tg, of which the carbon sequestration potentials of vegetation and soil were 47.19 and 34.82 Tg, respectively. Quantifying the potential of plantation carbon sequestration can help evaluate the maximum carbon sequestration capacity and design sustainable forest management strategies for achieving its potential in mitigating climate change.

Carbon storage and spatial pattern of forest vegetation in Changdu, Tibet.

REN De-zhi1, GE Li-wen2, WANG Rui-hong1, Zhang Na3, PAN Gang3*

2016, 35(4):  903-908. 

Asbtract ( 625 )   PDF (921KB) ( 452 )  

According to the data of the 6th Category Ⅱ Forest Resources Inventory in Changdu, we utilized the method of biomass expansion factor (BEF) to calculate the biomass. On the basis of combining the measurement of carbon content in the southeast of Tibet with related research in China, the carbon content of different tree species was determined, meanwhile the carbon storage, carbon density of forest and their spatial distribution pattern in Changdu were estimated. The results showed that the total carbon storage of forest in Changdu was about 1.058×10⁸ t, and the average carbon density was 67.31 t·hm^-2, being lower than that in Linzhi. The carbon storage of all forest types varied from 4.5×10² to 8.21×10⁷ t. The carbon storage of spruce forest occupied 77.82% of the total carbon storage in Changdu. The carbon density of all forest types was 19.88-81.16 t·hm^-2. From the age group, the carbon storage of mature and overmature forests occupied 77.91% of the total carbon storage of forest, and the carbon density of each age group increased with age. From the overall distribution pattern of forest carbon storage and carbon density, the forest carbon storage was the highest in Zuogong County, and the lowest in Dingqing County; the southern “Sanjiang” had the highest forest carbon storage, followed by the “Sanjiang” upstream region, and the lowest was found in the middle reaches of the “Sanjiang”. Forest carbon density was the highest in the Jomda County (in northeastern Changdu), and the lowest in Mangkang County (in southeastern Changdu). The distribution pattern showed that the upper reaches of the “Sanjiang” had the higher average carbon density, followed by the southern region of “Sanjiang”, and the middle reaches of “Sanjiang” had the lowest. However, the difference of spatial distribution of carbon density was relatively small (60.55-74.41 t·hm^-2).

Response of growth and yield of round-grained rice to transplanting date and temperature change in eastern Jilin Province.

QIU Yi-xuan1,2, MA Shu-qing2*, GAO Feng3, DENG Kui-cai4, QUAN Hu-jie4, CHAI Qing-rong4, JIN Long-fan4

2016, 35(4):  909-916. 

Asbtract ( 537 )   PDF (851KB) ( 262 )  

To reduce the impact of chilling damage, an experiment of sowing and transplanting by stages of middle-late rice variety of Jijing 811 was conducted in Yanji, eastern Jilin Province in 2013 and 2014. The response of growth rate and yield of roundgrained rice to transplanting and temperature change was analyzed, and the suitable sowing/transplanting dates of the rice were defined. The results showed that, with the delay of sowing/transplanting date, the average air temperature during the rice growth period rose, the rice growth was accelerated, and the effective growing days decreased. During the main growing periods of rice, when the mean temperature rose by 1 ℃, the growth rate increased by 19%, and growing days decreased approximately 5 days. The suitable daily mean temperature for rice transplanting was about 13.0 ℃, and there was a reduction in rice yield when transplanting was earlier or later. To ensure rice maturation before the frost and get high yield, middlelate variety rice should be sowed on about April 18, and transplanted on about May 26 in the study area. For the middle-late maturing rice varieties, suitable accumulated temperature during transplanting to mature period was 2280 ℃·d or so. If the accumulated temperature decreased by 100 ℃·d, rice yield would decrease by 1095 kg·hm^-2 (about 13%). Insufficient accumulated temperature may induce the occurrence of rice chilling injury, and thus a reduction of rice yield.

Effects of temperature and sunlight conditions on yield and source/sink characteristics of rice in cold region.

XIE Bao-sheng*, ZHAO Li-ming, NA Yong-guang, GU Chun-mei, WANG Shi-qiang, WANG Li-ping, WANG He

2016, 35(4):  917-924. 

Asbtract ( 501 )   PDF (1164KB) ( 289 )  

Field experiments were conducted from 2011 to 2014, to investigate the relationships between temperaturelight factors and characteristics of dry matter accumulation, photosynthetic characteristics of source and sink, yield and its components of rice in a cold region. The results showed that the utilization rate of daily active and effective accumulated temperature tended to increase year by year, and solar radiation decreased year by year during the growth period. Solar radiation intensity was the highest in filling stage in 2014. The daily active accumulated temperature, daily effective accumulated temperature and its utilization rate during the whole growth period, and the daily average solar radiation intensity after heading were significantly or extremely significantly positively correlated with grain numbers per spike, setting rate, 1000grain weight, and yield. The active accumulated temperature during the whole growth period showed a quadratic function relationship with yield (R²=0.69), biomass (R²=0.49), dry weight of stem (R²=0.74), and grain/leaf ratio (R²=0.34) at the heading stage, harvest index (R²=0.63), crop growth rate (R²=0.78) and net assimilation rate (R²=0.73), while it was extremely significantly positively correlated with the leaf area index (R=0.81).

Prediction of levels of low temperature disaster to double cropping rice in Southern China.

WU Li1, HUO Zhi-guo1,2*, YANG Jian-ying1, XIAO Jing-jing3, ZHANG Lei4, YU Cai-xia5, ZHANG Gui-xiang1

2016, 35(4):  925-933. 

Asbtract ( 555 )   PDF (2411KB) ( 256 )  

Stepwise regression prediction models of levels of annual first low temperature disaster to double cropping rice were established based on meteorological industry standards, the daily meteorological data of 708 weather stations located in the planting regions of double cropping rice in the southern China from 1961 to 2010 and 74 atmospheric circulation characteristics from 1960 to 2010. Methods such as factor puffing, correlation analysis, and stepwise regression were used to establish the prediction models that can discriminate different areas according to risk levels and their spatiotemporal change trends. The average basically consistent accuracy rate of the extended prediction of low temperature damage in highly risk area (Ⅰ area) by the stepwise regression prediction models was
100% for early rice, 83.3% for Japonica rice and 83.3% for Indica rice.  Similarly, as to low risk area with a riskincreasing trend (Ⅱ area), the prediction accuracy rate was 100% for early rice, 83.3% for Japonica rice and 83.3% for Indica rice; as to low risk area with a riskdecreasing trend (Ⅲ area), the prediction accuracy rate was 83.3% for early rice, 100% for Japonica rice and 83.3% for Indica rice. The errors of back substitution and prediction of the models to the representative stations of each region were mainly equal to or less than one level. On the whole, the prediction models established in this study had high accuracy.

Community structure of phytoplankton and its relationship with aquatic environmental factors in typical landscape lakes of Ji’an, Jiangxi Province.

XIAO Xiao-yu1,2, LONG Wan-wan1, LIU Zheng-wei1, WANG Ren-nu1, HUANG Yan-hong1, HE Gen-he1*

2016, 35(4):  934-941. 

Asbtract ( 672 )   PDF (989KB) ( 311 )  

From August 2012 to July 2013, phytoplankton communities and the main aquatic environmental factors were investigated in four landscape lakes (Jiangjun Lake, Long Lake, Luling Lake and Yicui Lake) in Ji’an, Jiangxi Province. The water quality was evaluated by using biodiversity indexes (Shannon index H, Margalef index D and Pielou index J), and the water environmental factors were analyzed by principal components analysis (PCA). The results indicated that a total of 163 species of phytoplankton were identified, which belonged to 7 phyla and 82 genera. Phytoplankton species in four landscape lakes were mainly composed of Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta. Phytoplankton cell abundance varied seasonally with values ranging from 25.45×10⁶ to 54.04×10⁶ cells·L^-1, which were high in summer and autumn but low in winter and spring. In Jiangjun Lake, Long Lake, Luling Lake and Yicui Lake, the H value of phytoplankton was 1.26-2.08, 1.82-2.61, 2.27-2.62 and 1.10-2.32, respectively; the D value was 2.03-3.51, 2.36-3.71, 2.48-3.93 and 3.12-3.96, respectively; the J value was 0.45-0.69, 0.59-0.80, 0.67-0.77 and 0.50-0.84, respectively. Based on this investigation, it was considered that the four lakes were under eutrophic situation and at moderate pollution level. According to PCA of Luling Lake with relatively serious pollution, water temperature (WT), dissolved oxygen (DO) and total nitrogen (TN) were the most important environmental factors influencing the distribution of phytoplankton in small enclosed landscape water body. It is suggested that some necessary management and ecological remediation should be strengthened for the small closed landscape water.

Evaluating the sensitivity of soil erosion in the Yili River valley based on GIS and USLE.

LI Da-long1,2, YANG Jing1*, LI Wei-hong1, ZHU Cheng-gang1

2016, 35(4):  942-951. 

Asbtract ( 554 )   PDF (4306KB) ( 380 )  

The Yili River valley is an important production base of agriculture and animal husbandry in Xinjiang. Recently, soil loss is a significant ecological environment problem in this region. Based on the universal soil loss equation (USLE) and spatial analysis functions in ArcGIS, this study evaluated the temporal and spatial characteristics of soil erosion sensitivity according to selected factors (i.e. precipitation, vegetation cover, soil, slope, slope length) in the valley, with the factors of precipitation and vegetation being discriminated in different seasons. The results showed that in the study area, the soil erosion was most sensitive in spring, followed by autumn, while it was only slightly sensitive in summer and in the whole year. The total area of soil erosion with high sensitivity had a significant seasonal difference. It was largest in spring (32.2% of the total area), while only 6.1% in summer, and slightly less in autumn than in summer. Spatially, soil erosion area of low sensitivity was mainly distributed in plain area of the valley, while the area of medium and high sensitivity was mainly in the steep field, and in mountain area with elevation above 1500 m and slope about 20°. Furthermore, the influence of vegetation factor on soil erosion was greater than that of precipitation factor.

Estimating of soil total nitrogen concentration based on hyper-spectral remote sensing data in Minjiang River estuarine wetland.

GAO Deng-zhou1,3, ZENG Cong-sheng1,2,3*, ZHANG Wen-long1,3, LIU Qing-qing1, WANG Zhi-ping1, CHEN Yi-ting1

2016, 35(4):  952-959. 

Asbtract ( 652 )   PDF (1936KB) ( 297 )  

Nitrogen (N) is an essential biogenic element in wetland ecosystems. It is very important to estimate total N (TN) concentration in wetland soil by the hyperspectral remote sensing data with nondestructive, quick and accurate quantification. In this study, Minjiang River estuarine wetland was chosen as the study area, and 80 samples of 16 soil profiles were collected along a hydrological gradient (from high tidal to middle tidal flat) in May, 2013. Soil spectral reflectance and TN concentration were determined in the laboratory. Estimation and validation models were constructed by original spectral reflectance (R) and spectrum parameters including ratio index (RI), normalized difference index (NDI) and deference index (DI). Moreover, the correlations of spectral reflectance with NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, SOM and EC were analyzed in order to reveal the mechanism of estimating soil TN concentration based on hyperspectral remote sensing data. The results showed that the spectral reflectance of middle tidal soil was higher than that of high tidal soil at 350-600 nm, while the spectral reflectance of high tidal soil was higher than that of middle tidal soil at 600-2500 nm. Soil TN concentration showed a significant correlation with R at near 500 nm; the highest correlation coefficient value was -0.508, occurring at 490 nm. The spectrum parameters of RI, NDI and DI were calculated by bands at 600-1000 nm respectively, which greatly improved correlation coefficients with TN concentration, especially RI (590, 640), RI (610, 940), NDI (940, 590), NDI (940, 610), DI (640, 920) and DI (640, 940). The models built could well realize the inversion of wetland soil TN concentration in the study area, in which the determination coefficients (r²) and the root means square errors (RMSE) were all larger than 0.610 and less than 0.208, respectively. The best estimate parameter was RI (610, 940), and the r² values of its estimation and validation models were 0.832 and 0.631, while RMSE values were 0.178 and 0.202, respectively. The close relationship of soil TN concentration with SOM concentration is an important mechanism for estimating soil TN concentration, while NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N and EC had little impact on estimation accuracy of TN concentration.

Effect of nitrogen addition on transformation of amino sugars in forest soil.

CUI Yan-he1,2, ZHANG Wei1*, HE Hong-bo1, XIE Hong-tu1, ZHANG Xu-dong1,3

2016, 35(4):  960-965. 

Asbtract ( 810 )   PDF (548KB) ( 606 )  

A laboratory incubation of soil samples was conducted to study the dynamics of three kinds of microbialderived amino sugars in forest soil after adding different amounts of nitrogen. The relative contribution of soil fungi and bacteria to soil nitrogen transformation and accumulation was also investigated by the ratio of glucosamine to muramic acid. The results showed that, dynamics of the soil amino sugar contents were closely related to the nutrient status of the soil. When nitrogen was added to the soil, the microorganisms could use the extraneous nitrogen to synthesize their own cell wall material, and the content of muramic acid in the high nitrogen treatment was higher than that in the low nitrogen treatment, while the content of glucosamine in the high nitrogen treatment was lower than that in the low nitrogen treatment. Our study indicated that increased nitrogen addition was more beneficial to the accumulation of bacteriaderived muramic acid. However, high nitrogen addition was detrimental to the accumulation of fungiderived glucosamine. The response of galactosamine to nitrogen addition was weak. When soil nutrient was deficient, the amino sugars could be decomposed with different degrees. In addition, the ratio of bacteriaderived amino sugar to fungiderived amino sugar was changed. We found that the contribution of bacteria to soil nitrogen transformation in soil was greater than that of fungi, and the contribution of bacteria to soil nitrogen transformation was greater under high nitrogen addition. This study indicated that nitrogen addition changed the microbial transformation of amino sugarderived soil nitrogen.

Effects of mulching on soil nitrification and denitrification in a Phyllostachys violascens stand.

YE Li-sha, CHEN Shuang-lin*, GUO Zi-wu

2016, 35(4):  966-971. 

Asbtract ( 605 )   PDF (489KB) ( 270 )  

The rates of nitrification and denitrification in Phyllostachys violascens stand with and without mulching were measured by the barometric separation process technology (BaPS), and basic soil physicochemical properties were evaluated after covering 30, 60, and 90 d. The results showed that both mulching and covering duration had a significant impact on nitrification and denitrification, and these two factors interacted with each other. Mulching enhanced denitrification, but prolonged mulching inhibited nitrification. In general, mulching reduced the correlation between the rates of nitrification and denitrification and soil physicochemical properties. Meanwhile, it diversified and complicated the major environmental factors on nitrification and denitrification. Our results suggest that mulching could affect soil nitrogen cycling processes in the P. violascens stand, increasing nitrogen loss in the soil.

Accumulation and transport of soil extractable N affected by corn stover mulching quantity in no-tillage system.

HE Chuan-rui1,3, QUAN Zhi2, XIE Hong-tu2, LU Cai-yan1*, CHEN Xin1, SHI Yi1

2016, 35(4):  977-983. 

Asbtract ( 473 )   PDF (795KB) ( 322 )  

An 8year field experiment was conducted to study the accumulation, vertical transport and leaching  of soil NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N and extractable organic N (EON) affected by corn stover mulching in no-tillage system. The experiment consisted of five treatments, including a ridge tillage as control (RT), no-tillage without corn stover mulching (NT0), no-tillage with 33% corn stover mulching (NT₃₃), no-tillage with 67% corn stover mulching (NT₆₇), and no-tillage with 100% corn stover mulching (NT₁₀₀). The results showed that soil extractable N mainly existed in form of NO₃^--N, followed by EON in the no-tillage system with corn stover mulching. Corn stover mulching with different quantities significantly affected the accumulation and vertical transport of soil NO₃^--N in no-tillage system. The soil NO₃^--N was leached to the 40-80 cm soil layer in the NT₃₃ and NT₆₇ treatments, and the 40-60 cm soil layer in the NT₁₀₀ treatment. Compared to RT treatment, NT₆₇ and NT₁₀₀ treatments significantly decreased the capacity of NO₃^--N and EON pools in the 0-20 cm soil layer, and increased that of NO₃^--N pool in the 40-60 cm soil layer. Our results suggest that corn stover mulching increased the vertical transport and leaching loss of soil NO₃^--N pool from cultivation layer to deep soil in no-tillage system, and had no influence on the soil EON and NH₄⁺-N.

The migration characteristics of soil nitrogen in tea plantations.

WANG Yan-dan1, YANG Chang-liang1, XUE Hui2, LI Shi-yu1*, LIU Bin1, CHEN Gui-ming1, CHEN Shuai1, YUAN Xiang-ning1, YANG Qin-qing1

2016, 35(4):  984-991. 

Asbtract ( 564 )   PDF (873KB) ( 374 )  

Soil nitrogen migrates into deeper soil layer even into groundwater in the conditions of rainfall, which results in not only the degradation of soil fertility, but also the pollution of groundwater. In this study, soil samples of 0-20 cm and 0-40 cm depths were collected from Puer Tea plantations with different cultivation ages of 0 (i.e. forest), 5, 20, 33, and 56 years old respectively in Dadugang Town, Xishuangbanna. Undisturbed soil columns were used to study the migration characteristics of TN, NO₃^--N, NH₄⁺-N, DON and the influence of soil pH on nitrogen migration by simulating local heavy rainfalls indoors. The results showed that TN migration fluxes increased with the increase of tea planting age in the soil layers of 0-20 cm and 0-40 cm (P<0.05). The migration increased by 235.13 mg·m^-2 through 20 cm soil layer, and 151.24 mg·m^-2 through 40 cm soil layer for each additional year of tea cultivation. A significant positive correlation between NO₃^--N migration flux and cultivation age of tea plantation was observed in the layer of 20-40 cm (P<0.05), and the same pattern was found between DON migration flux and tea planting age in the layer of 0-20 cm (P<0.05). However, NH₄⁺-N loss fluxes did not change with tea planting age (P>0.05). While the migration of TN, NH₄⁺-N, DON in tea plantations occurred mainly in the layer of 0-20 cm, most of NO₃^--N migration existed in the 20-40 cm layer. The soil nitrogen mainly migrated in the form of DON through 40 cm soil layer, followed by NO₃^--N, and NH₄⁺-N the least. No evident effects of soil pH on nitrogen migration was observed in our study (P>0.05).

The influence of urbanization on butterfly diversity in Hefei, Anhui Province.

WU Yun-he, GU Cheng-bo, LI Wen-bo, NIU Nai-yi, HAN De-min, FANG Jie*

2016, 35(4):  992-996. 

Asbtract ( 682 )   PDF (526KB) ( 376 )  

To investigate the butterfly diversity in Hefei, we selected three regions along a gradient of urbanization, namely urban, suburban and rural regions from March to October, 2010. A total of 1484 butterfly individuals were collected, belonging to 7 families, 28 genera and 34 species, among which Pieris rapae, Pseudozizeeria maha and Polygonia caureum were dominant species. Diversity index of butterfly varied with the three different urbanization regions. The diversity indices of butterfly in the three different urbanization regions were in order of rural site > suburban site > urban site. Temporally, the Shannon index and richness index at rural and suburban sites were the highest in July, while they were the highest in August in urban site. The Simpson index at urban and suburban sites was the highest in August, while it was the highest in July at rural site. The evenness index in the three different urbanization areas was the highest in August. Therefore, it was suggested that different measures should be taken to conserve and enhance the biodiversity based on the urbanization level and habitat type under rapid urbanization.

 

Behavioral responses of bamboo wireworm, Melanotus cribricollis to Metarhizium pingshaense and its metabolites.

YE Bi-huan, ZHANG Ya-bo, SHU Jin-ping*, WU Hong, WANG Hao-jie

2016, 35(4):  997-1002. 

Asbtract ( 626 )   PDF (519KB) ( 231 )  

Metarhizium spp. are very important entomogenous fungi for the biocontrol of soil insects. In order to clarify the repellent effect of Metarhizium spp. against wireworms, we tested the behavioral responses of Melanotus cribricollis wireworm towards the conidium, volatiles and nonvolatiles of Metarhizium pingshaense WP08 using Ytube olfactory bioassay in the present study. The results showed that when the concentration of M. pingshaense WP08 conidium was 5×10⁸ conidia·g^-1 dry soil, wireworms were repellent significantly by the conidium (P<0.001), and the repellency was weakened with the decrease of conidium concentration in the soil. There was no repellency against the wireworms when the conidium concentration was 5×10⁶ conidia·g^-1 dry soil. The fermentation broth of M. pingshaense WP08 conidium (1×10⁸ conidia·mL^-1) showed significant repellency against the wireworms (P<0.001), while the VOCs emitted from M. pingshaense showed no significant repellency against wireworms (P>0.05). Our results provide important basic information of chemical mechanism of fungirepellency against insects.

Diet analysis and foraging strategy of two sympatric pheasants at Mt. Gaoligong in winter.

LUO Xu1*, WU Tai-ping1,2, HUANG An-qi1

2016, 35(4):  1003-1008. 

Asbtract ( 566 )   PDF (494KB) ( 345 )  

By means of microscope, we analyzed the winter feces (December-February) of Sclater’s Monal (Lophophorus sclateri) and Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) that occur sympatrically at the alpine habitat of Mt. Gaoligong. Sclater’s Monal consumed 48 plants and Blood Pheasant consumed 43 plants species, among which 27 plants occurred in both species’ diet. These mutual food plants comprised the majority of both pheasants’ diets: 80.09% and 70.69% respectively. Food diversity (H=3.21, 3.35) and food niche overlap (C_ih=0.598) in winter were higher than in the other three seasons, indicating that food competition might exist between the two species. Food partitioning was the consequence of competition, as the data showed plant species and plant parts were the two dimensions of the differentiation. That was the basis for their coexistence. Combining the diet and their foraging behaviors, we hypothesized the feeding strategies for these two pheasants. In winter, Sclater’s Monal would shift its feeding habit from plant leaves to roots due to the food deficiency, which formed its “firstchoice strategy”. But when their suitable habitat is covered by snow, this species would move to low altitude sites searching for plant leaves. This acted as its “emergency strategy”. These two strategies were used by Sclater’s Monal to deal with food deficiency in winter. However, Blood Pheasant did not change their feeding habits but would gather large populations and explore larger range size, which would supply more food resources for the whole population. This is a different strategy but is obviously good for each individual in the harsh winter.

Dynamic change of red-crowned crane habitat suitability in the west Songnen Plain during the past 30 years.

ZHOU Hai-tao, NA Xiao-dong*, ZANG Shu-ying

2016, 35(4):  1009-1018. 

Asbtract ( 638 )   PDF (4945KB) ( 510 )  

Habitat suitability assessment provides scientific basis for protecting rare waterfowl habitat and preserving biodiversity. In this study, habitat suitability of redcrowned crane in the west Songnen Plain during 1980 to 2010 was performed by the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model. This model was implemented using Landsat TM image data, measured waterfowl distribution points, as well as selected environmental characteristics including land use type, vegetation coverage, density of rivers, density of lakes, density of residents, density of roads and density of croplands. Finally, we could get the suitability hierarchical graph of the redcrowned crane habitat suitability. The results showed that: (1) Suitable habitat for the redcrowned crane in the study area was mainly distributed in marsh wetlands and grasslands surrounded by rivers or lakes with high coverage of vegetation and a low degree of human disturbance. (2) The area of most suitable region and moderately suitable region during the four periods (1980, 1995, 2000 and 2010) were all gradually decreased. The most suitable area was decreased from 7536.38 km² in 1980 to 3762.50 km² in 2010. The unsuitable area was increased year by year. (3) The transformation among different habitat suitable grades conformed to the principle of proximity and reversibility. Thus the most area of most suitable region turned into moderately suitable region and the most area of moderately suitable region turned into marginally suitable region. On the contrary, the area of unsuitable region turned into most suitable region was small. This study offers a significant basis for wetland development planning, nature reserve conservation and reasonable layout, biological resource sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in the future.

Application of high-throughput sequencing for analyzing bacterial diversity in the adductor muscle of sick and healthy Patinopecten yessoensis.

DOU Yan1, ZHAO Xiao-wei1, DING Jun1*, LIU Sheng-cong2, ZHANG Tao2

2016, 35(4):  1019-1025. 

Asbtract ( 612 )   PDF (607KB) ( 264 )  

Healthy and sick samples of Patinopecten yessoensis were taken from different culturing cages. The healthy samples were tagged as CK and the sickness samples were tagged as S1, S2 and S3 respectively. Using MiSeq sequencing method, we compared the microbial structure and variation of P. yessoensis in different healthy status. The results showed that the bacterial diversity was highest in the S3, followed by the CK, S1 and S2. In total, 24 phyla were identified in this study. Among these phyla, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Nitrospirae, Chlorobi and Fusobacteria took up a large proportion. Proteobacteria were absolutely dominant in the adductor muscle of healthy P. yessoensis, accounting for 95.9% in the entire bacterial community. In the adductor muscle of the sick P. yessoensis, the dominant groups of S1 and S3 were Proteobacteria, accounting for 80.4% and 86.8% respectively, while Bacteroidetes (56.9%) were the dominant phyla in S2.

Effects of salinity and refrigeration on the hatching of copepod resting eggs.

LUO Hong-tian, WANG Qing, TIAN Tian, YANG Yu-feng

2016, 35(4):  1026-1030. 

Asbtract ( 504 )   PDF (515KB) ( 317 )  

The resting egg phase is an important survival strategy of copepoda in the environment, and also an important potential recruitment for copepod population in the water. Surface sediments of Nansha in the Pearl River Estuary were collected to examine the effect of salinity and refrigeration on the hatching of copepod resting eggs. Our results showed that the hatching number and hatching rate of resting eggs incubated were higher at the salinity of 5 and 20 compared to those at other salinity levels (P<0.05). Two sizes of resting eggs in the sediment were separated by a 50 μm mesh size screen and the hatching number of resting eggs was significantly higher in the <50 μm sediment than in the >50 μm sediment (P<0.05). The hatching number of refrigerated resting eggs was significantly higher than that of roomtemperature stored resting eggs (P<0.05). The resting eggs hatched before refrigeration were mainly quiescence eggs and diapause eggs, which had passed the refractory phase in the sediment, and the resting eggs hatched after refrigeration (30 days) were mainly diapause eggs, which did not pass the refractory phase in the sediment, indicating that the resting eggs in the sediment of <50 μm were mainly diapause eggs. The results provide a better understanding of potential recruitment of copepods from resting eggs, and have important implications for further revealing the succession mechanism of copepod species in the estuarine water.

Mercury and selenium in arthropods and their bioaccumulation across food webs.

ABEYSINGHE Kasun1,2, AO Ming3, GOODALE Eben4, YANG Xiao-dong1, XU Xiao-hang2,5, XU Zhi-dong2,5, QIU Guang-le2*

2016, 35(4):  1031-1037. 

Asbtract ( 653 )   PDF (676KB) ( 375 )  

Seven different types of arthropods, including nine species, were collected from Wanshan mercury (Hg) mining region and Leishan control site for Hg and selenium (Se) analysis. Stable isotopes δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were also measured. Results showed that average concentrations of Hg and Se in arthropods were 157±329 and 190±277 ng·g^-1 in Leishan, respectively, which were much lower than the 5692±1472 ng·g^-1 for Hg and 2220±691 ng·g^-1 for Se in Wanshan. Mercury concentrations in carnivorous species were significantly higher than those of herbivorous animals from both Hg mining region and control site, demonstrating Hg’s ability to bioaccumulate across food webs. However, Se did not show bioaccumulation in arthropods. A significant positive correlation (r=0.983, P<0.001) between Se and Hg was observed in samples collected from the control site with a molar ratio of 2∶1, but such a relationship was not found in the Hg mining region. A positive correlation (r=0.434, P<0.001) between δ¹⁵N with Hg showed that δ¹⁵N could better reflect the relationship among predators and prey than δ¹³C did.

Isolation and characterization of polychlorinated biphenyl-degrading endophytic bacterium from Salix matsudana f. pendula.

SONG Ge1,2, CAI Man1,2, DU Ke-jiu1,2*

2016, 35(4):  1038-1046. 

Asbtract ( 379 )   PDF (2279KB) ( 245 )  

A total of 12 different endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from Salix matsudana f. pendula in garden and its tissue culture seedlings in this study. Endophytic bacterial strain CGL-1 was identified by using Aroclor 1242 as the only carbon source to grow well. The characteristics of 16S ribosomal DNA sequences and morphology of colony and cell suggested that this isolate was most closely related to the genus Enterobacter. The optimal conditions of Aroclor 1242 degradation were obtained according to the changes of inoculation amount of the bacterium, pH and the concentration of NaCl in liquid minimal media. The inoculation amount of 10% of CGL-1 at pH 7.0 appeared to be the optimum conditions for removing Aroclor 1242. Under these conditions, GCECD was used to measure removal effects of Aroclor 1242 by domesticated strain CGL-1. The results indicated that Aroclor 1242 congeners were obviously removed by strain CGL-1, with a total removal rate of 43.2% after 7 d.

The exposure of heavy metals of street dust during heating period and unheating period in Shenyang.

ZHENG Dong-mei1,2*, JIN Dan1,2, LIN Xin1,2, LI Hui-ying1,2

2016, 35(4):  1047-1052. 

Asbtract ( 513 )   PDF (630KB) ( 288 )  

The aim of this work was to study the distribution characteristics of heavy metals in street dust during heating period and unheating period, and their health risk to human due to dust exposure in Shenyang. The mean Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd contents in street dust were 13.23, 2.87, 3.68, and 7.35 times as high, respectively, as the background values in soil during heating period, and these values were 4.52, 3.12, 3.33, and 6.64 times high during unheating period. In heating period, the contents of Zn and Pb were in order of residential area > industrial area > commercial area, the Cu content was in order of industrial area > commercial area > residential area, and the Cd content was in order of industrial area > residential area > commercial area. In unheating period, the contents of heavy metals in street dust in residential area were lower than those in industrial area and commercial area, except Pb. The sequence of noncarcinogenic risk (HI) was Pb>Zn>Cu>Cd in heating period, while it was Pb>Cu>Cd>Zn in unheating period. Almost HI values in this study were lower than 1, indicating that the risks of these metals to human health were low or could be ignored.

Rainstorm characteristics and flood inundation risk in the middle-lower reaches of Yangtze River.

E You-hao, HUO Zhig-uo*

2016, 35(4):  1053-1062. 

Asbtract ( 668 )   PDF (5455KB) ( 366 )  

The daily precipitation data from 73 meteorological stations covering the areas of middle-lower reaches of Yangtze River from 1961 to 2012 were used to analyze the characteristics and distribution of rainstorm intensity and the maximal consecutive rainfall. The rainstorm intensity at different recurrence intervals of rainstorm such as 100-year and 50-year was obtained. Based on these spatial analyses and the spatial data such as digital elevation model (DEM), land use and soil type, the advanced WetSpa Extension model was used to simulate the runoff yield and concentration into the trunk stream of Yangtze River under different rainstorm intensities and consecutive rainfall scenarios. And then, the potential submerged areas and the spatial distributions of rainstorm flooding in croplands, wetlands and lakes were mapped using the GIS methods. The results showed that the regions along the Yangtze River belonging to Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi and Jiangsu provinces were the highest occurrence areas of rainstorm. The rainstorm days and the maximal daily precipitation increased insignificantly in the past 50 years. The rainstorm intensities of 100-year, 50-year and 10-year recurrence intervals were 220, 190 and 120 mm·d^-1 respectively, and the maximum consecutive rainfall in the study area was more than 400 mm. Consequently, the areas submerged in 0.5-1.5 m by flooding under the four extreme rainstorm scenarios were

4.3×10⁴, 2.6×10⁴, 1.6×10⁴ and 6.7×10⁴ km², and the submerged cropland accounted for 83.7%, 74.1%, 65.1% and 88.1%, respectively. These results and the submerged area maps can help to prevent storm flooding, analyze the flood risk and evaluate the disaster losses.

A review of stable isotopic compositions of atmospheric particulate matter.

LI Qin-kai1,2, YANG Zhou1,2, HUANG Jun1,2, CUI Gao-yang1,2, LI Xiao-dong1*

2016, 35(4):  1063-1071. 

Asbtract ( 871 )   PDF (556KB) ( 359 )  

Atmospheric particulate matter, regarded as the main source of smog and haze, causes a great impact on the environment and human health due to its complex composition. For scientific research in the atmospheric environment, it is an important issue to characterize the source, formation, migration and transformation processes of atmospheric particulate matter. In recent years, stable isotopic techniques are widely employed in tracing air pollutants. This paper aimed to review the studies related to stable isotopic composition of atmospheric particulate matter, and focused on the light stable isotopic composition of atmospheric particles, including the stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Combined with spatial and temporal variation of atmospheric particulate matter and some certain isotopic mathematical models, this paper analyzed and summarized the researches on the origin, formation, and contribution of components in atmospheric particulate matter, and discussed the developing trend of applications of stable isotopic techniques in the future study.

Research progress on the stress resistance of Pomacea canaliculata eggs.

LIU Qiao1, ZHAO Liu-lan1, YANG Song1*, YAN Tai-ming1, HE Zhi1, ZHANG Jia-en2

2016, 35(4):  1072-1079. 

Asbtract ( 790 )   PDF (556KB) ( 640 )  

Pomacea canaliculata is the only freshwater snail listed among the 100 worst invaders worldwide, as well as one of the 16 most dangerous invaders in China. The successful invasion of P. canaliculata must be closely related to its completion of life cycle, establishment of population and successful acclimatization of colony under a wide range of conditions. The successful hatching of eggs is a critical phase for the population establishment of P. canaliculata. Under natural conditions, eggs suffer from lots of adverse factors during hatching, such as desiccation, direct sunlight, high temperature, pathogenic bacteria, parasites and terrestrial predators. In this paper, we have concluded that the reproductive biology characteristics of P. canaliculata gave some distinct functions to eggs for stress resistance, the egg could adopt a series of adaptive strategies to overcome solar radiation, high temperature, oxidation and desiccation by eggshell, carotenoprotein, heat shock protein, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant substance. In addition, we have also summarized the egg defensive mechanisms against pathogenic bacteria and predators by encoding relative innate immune proteins, antinutrition/antidigestion components, neurotoxin, as well as the egg energy distribution during hatching. We proposed that evolution and functions of proteins of P. canaliculata egg, the inhibition type of egg hatch and the utilization of apple snail eggs need to further study.

Phytoremediation mechanisms of petroleumcontaminated soils.

WANG Ya-nan, CHENG Li-juan, ZHOU Qi-xing*

2016, 35(4):  1080-1088. 

Asbtract ( 679 )   PDF (1068KB) ( 389 )  

Based on recent applications and research situations of phytoremediation of petroleum contaminated soils, phytoremediation mechanisms of petroleumcontaminated soils were analyzed and summarized. First of all, plant roots can directly absorb petroleum hydrocarbons, and use their metabolisms or plant endophytes to remove the pollutants. Once plant roots absorbed petroleum hydrocarbons, they would be stored in the tissues (phytoextraction) by lignification mechanism, or be converted to some intermediate metabolites with low toxicity, CO₂ and H₂O through phytovolatilization or phytodegradation mechanisms. Plant endophytes are closely correlated with phytodegradation, phytoremediation and phytoprotection of petroleumcontaminated soils. And then, root exudates and rhizosphere microbes determine the direction of rhizosphere mechanisms underlying phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. The rhizosphere, affected by root activities, is a microecological zone. Thus, rhizodegradation is considered as the main mechanism to remove petroleum hydrocarbons from soils. Plant roots can release some exudates or enzymes to the rhizosphere. Enzymes play a key role in degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Furthermore, root exudates can provide carbon, energy or cometabolites to rhizosphere microbes so that their numbers and activities are significantly higher than those in nonrhizospheres, which greatly enhance the capacity of biodegradation. Finally, the future directions can be taken from the following aspects in order to provide important and scientific support for future phytoremediation research: (1) the microecological processes of root exudates; (2) finding and building the functional genes; (3) the processes and mechanisms of anaerobic oxidation; (4) the roles and applications of endophytes; (5) using the omics tools to study phytoremediation mechanisms.

 

A brief introduction to the plant functional trait database of Northwest European flora (LEDA).

QIAN Jian-qiang1, MA Qun1,2, LIU Zhi-min1*

2016, 35(4):  1089-1096. 

Asbtract ( 1164 )   PDF (778KB) ( 494 )  

Plant functional traits have long been used in revealing evolution rules of plant traits and evolutionary relationships among species, exploring mechanisms of species coexistence and community assembly, as well as in predicting vegetation dynamics under climate change and human disturbance. The LEDA Traitbase, a database of lifehistory traits of the Northwest European flora, started in 2002, mainly focusing on functional traits involved in plant species persistence, regeneration and dispersability, has significant influences in plant ecology study. This paper introduced methods for the identification and measurement of functional traits in this traitbase to provide guidelines for trait selection and measurement to facilitate the establishment of similar database in China and to advance theoretical ecology and functional ecology.

Theory, method and application of eco-function redline construction based on urban ecosystem research paradigm.

LI Jie1,2, CAO Ying-hong1, LIANG Tao1**, WANG Ling-qing1, WANG Jing3

2016, 35(4):  1097-1107. 

Asbtract ( 564 )   PDF (7825KB) ( 377 )  

Eco-redline is supposed to be the minimum area that should be strictly protected to ensure the regional eco-health and eco-service sustainability. To draw the eco-redline scientifically would be an effective way to improve eco-function. In this paper, we summarized the previous studies and rebuilt the eco-redline framework including eco-function redline, environment redline and resource redline by considering eco-function, environment and resource categories, respectively, which could be worked on time, space and management. The three redlines together constitute the urban eco-redline framework system. By taking eco-function redline as example, and from the aspect of ecosystem itself, we proposed a method to demarcate eco-function redline based on the pattern, process, function and amenity of urban system. Using Jixian County in Tianjin as an example, we draw out the regional eco-function redline with a total area of 11425 hm², which is mainly distributed in north mountain and river basins of Jixian. Combined with the regional characteristics and the corresponding eco-redline area, we also put forward some corresponding control measures. The exploration of our study in theory, method, model and application provides theoretical and methodical supports for further study on eco-redline in future.

Removing double counting in wetland ecosystem services valuation based on emergy algebra.

LI kai1,2, CUI Li-juan1,2*, LI Wei1,2, KANG Xiao-ming1,2, ZHANG Ya-qiong1,2

2016, 35(4):  1108-1116. 

Asbtract ( 787 )   PDF (616KB) ( 364 )  

Ecosystem services valuation has made certain progress, but double counting still occurs. At present, most of the previous approaches to the assessment of wetland ecosystem services focus on the simple classification of services, trying to use the economics method to calculate and evaluate wetland ecosystem services value. The generation, transmission, consumption and reproduction of the ecosystem services are cycle processes. If we only evaluate the value by simple classification, the accuracy of the results will be affected, easily leading to double counting. If this double counting problem cannot be removed appropriately, the credibility of the evaluation results will be reduced. By establishing the flow chart of emergy, this paper analyzed the three basic mechanisms-‘separation, feedback, and coproduct’ in the wetland ecosystem services to avoid the double counting error. At last, we compared the calculated results with precondition to the results without precondition, and the error range was from 12% to 38%. Our results indicated that associating with emergy and the preconditioning analysis of the system can remove the double counting effectively and make the evaluation results more accurate.

Adaptive evaluation of vegetation coverage estimation in arid region based on remote sensing technology. 

XIE Qiu-xia, SUN Lin, WEI Jing*, LI Xiu-rui

2016, 35(4):  1117-1124. 

Asbtract ( 748 )   PDF (4118KB) ( 420 )  

Compared with dense vegetation area, arid and semi-arid areas show a lower accuracy in vegetation fractional coverage (VFC) calculation using remote sensing method, due to its poor and scattered vegetation coverage. To solve the above problems, restrictive and adaptation factors of three typical traditional VFC inversion methods, the regression model method, pixel dichotomy method and the spectral unmixing method in arid areas were analyzed in this paper. Then the traditional methods were improved based on groundmeasured spectrums through analysis of the sensitivity of NDVI_S to vegetation cover in arid areas. A VFC inversion experiment was carried out in a typical arid area in Xinjiang using the Landsat-8 OLI data. The measured VFC data were used to verify the experiment results. The results showed that the different methods showed certain difference for VFC inversion accuracy. The fully constrained least squares linear spectral unmixing method based on spectral unmixing showed the highest accuracy in the arid area, with highest consistency with the ground measured VFC (R²=0.989), followed by the pixel dichotomy method (R²=0.848) and the regression model method (R²=0.827).