三峡库区香溪河流域降雨侵蚀力的时空分布特征

为研究流域降雨侵蚀力变化规律,利用三峡库区香溪河流域内10个雨量站1971—2010年的日降雨资料,采用降雨侵蚀力日降雨简易模型,分析该流域降雨侵蚀力的年内分配和年际变化规律。在Arc GIS软件支持下,采用克里格插值研究流域降雨和降雨侵蚀力时空变化特征。结果表明:香溪河流域降雨侵蚀力多年变化范围为2 465.26~7 419.29 MJ·mm/(hm2·h),多年平均均值为4 535.63 MJ·mm/(hm2·h),降雨侵蚀力R值的年际分配差异明显,最大年R值为最小年R值的3倍;流域侵蚀力空间变化趋势为从西向东逐渐递减;流域近40多年的降雨和降雨侵蚀力系列比较平稳,经Mann-kendall检验无显著的变化趋势。流域降雨量、侵蚀性降雨量和降雨侵蚀力年内分布较集中,汛期降雨量、汛期侵蚀性降雨量、汛期降雨侵蚀力占全年的比例分别为85.4%、92.4%和94.0%。     

海南省东方市60年来降雨量及降雨侵蚀力变化趋势

[目的]分析海南省东方市降雨量、侵蚀性降雨量及降雨侵蚀力在不同时间尺度上的趋势变化及其相关性,为该区生态环境建设、水土流失治理及土壤侵蚀机理研究提供科学支持。[方法]根据该地区1956-2015年60a的逐日降雨量数据资料,采用变异系数、趋势系数和气候趋势率分析不同时间尺度的降雨、侵蚀性降雨和降雨侵蚀力的变化趋势。[结果](1)东方市1956—2015年60a来年均降雨量、年均侵蚀性降雨量、年均降雨侵蚀力分别为982.9±36.9mm,816.1±37.6mm和9 441.7±554.2 MJ·mm/(hm~2·h·a),变异系数分别为29.1%,35.7%,45.5%。(2)60a来降雨量、侵蚀性降雨量及降雨侵蚀力年际变化均呈一定的增加趋势,趋势系数分别为0.129,0.156,0.198。季、月尺度上变化差异较大,但总体变化格局相似,均呈单峰型分布。(3)降雨量、侵蚀性降雨量及降雨侵蚀力两两之间有极强的线性相关性,且乘幂方程较线性回归方程能更好的反映两两之间的关系。[结论]60a来降雨量、侵蚀性降雨量、降雨侵蚀力均呈现较明显的年际增加趋势,且两两之间呈幂函数关系。     

关川河流域1995-2010年降雨特征及其水土流失效应

依据定西关川河流域1995-2010年的水文站监测数据,分析了该地区降雨特征及其水土流失效应。结果表明:(1)流域降雨事件主要发生在5-9月,7-8月降雨量达到全年最高值,而侵蚀性降雨主要发生在7-8月15a间侵蚀性降雨日数占总降雨日数的9.53%侵蚀性降雨量占总降雨量的39.41%。(2)15a间共观测到1|123d降雨,降雨总量达4866.98mm多年平均降雨量304.19mm,年际变化趋势不明显,每年约10%的侵蚀性降雨事件造成土壤侵蚀。(3)河川径流量与输沙量呈极显著正相关关系(p<0.001),二者均呈波动减少的趋势当表层土壤处于缺水状态时,降雨对土壤侵蚀的影响延迟。(4)由于影响土壤水蚀的因素错综复杂,降雨量、侵蚀性降雨量和降雨侵蚀力均不能独立反映流域土壤侵蚀过程。     

嘉陵江流域输沙量演变规律分析

嘉陵江流域水土流失严重,是长江流域重点产沙区之一,研究流域输沙量演变规律及其影响因素,对揭示其水土流失规律及人类活动水文效应具有重要意义。基于嘉陵江北碚站月及年输沙量,分析了流域输沙量演变规律及流域内人类活动对输沙量的影响。结果表明:年输沙量总体呈降低趋势,1980s—1990s年输沙量波动程度相对较大;流域年输沙量在1992年发生突变,突变年份后年径流量有所增加,年输沙量明显减少,突变年份后年输沙量波动程度加剧;年内输沙量主要集中在汛期(7—9月),占全年72%以上,总体变化呈单峰型;根据北碚站1956—2008年降雨—输沙双累积曲线,流域输沙量相对降雨量在1984年发生突变,降水和人类活动在突变年份前后对输沙量衰减的影响分别为25%和75%,人类活动的影响占据了主导地位。     

渭河流域降雨侵蚀力时空分布特征

[目的]揭示渭河流域降雨侵蚀力的时空变化特征,为区域水土保持规划提供依据。[方法]根据渭河流域及其周边范围30个气象站点1957—2014年逐日降雨资料,采用章文波日降雨量侵蚀模型计算各站点的降雨侵蚀力,分析其空间分布规律和年内分布特征。[结果]渭河流域多年平均降雨侵蚀力值分布范围为806.25~3 510.81 MJ·mm/(hm2·h),平均值1 798.97 MJ·mm/(hm2·h),与多年平均侵蚀性降雨的空间分布基本一致,总体呈现西北低东南高的趋势。渭河流域降雨侵蚀力年内变化呈单峰型,主要集中在7—9月,占全年降雨侵蚀力的63.91%。北部黄土高原地区和关中平原发生水土流失的时期集中在7—9月,而秦岭北麓地区5—10月均有可能发生较大的水土流域,侵蚀风险由西北向东南递增。流域降雨侵蚀力年际波动较大,年际变率Cv值在34%~56%之间,整体而言,流域西北部地区的降雨侵蚀力年际变化幅度大于东南部地区。除洛川、长武、环县、平凉4个站点降雨侵蚀力在研究时段内有所增大外,其余地区降雨侵蚀侵蚀力呈不同速率的减小趋势。[结论]渭河流域降雨侵蚀力时空分布差异显著,尽管流域降雨侵蚀力呈减弱趋势,由于流域地处黄土高原,水土保持与水源涵养工作仍需高度重视。     

近60年来汾河上游汛期悬移质输沙量变化及驱动力分析

利用汾河上游出口控制站兰村水文站1954—2013年汛期降雨、径流和输沙实测资料,采用线性趋势分析和双累积曲线法分析了汾河上游汛期悬移质输沙变化特征和驱动力对输沙的影响。结果表明,(1)近60年来汾河上游汛期悬移质输沙量和径流量下降显著,且输沙量变化幅度大于径流量。(2)近60年来汾河上游汛期降雨量变化不显著,但降雨量与径流量(P0.01)、降雨量和输沙量(P0.01)均显著线性相关。(3)近60年来特别是2000年以后汾河上游发生洪水特别是较大洪水的次数显著减少。(4)近60年汾河上游悬移质输沙量的变化大致分为4个阶段,1959年、1981年和2002年是3个转折点。1959年以前主要受降雨和径流的影响;1959—1981年,汾河水库的修建是悬移质输沙量减少的主要驱动力;1981—2002年,降水减少、经济活动和水土保持使得径流量减少,输沙能力减弱;2002年以后,降雨减少特别是暴雨减少,经济活动和水土保持使得径流量和输沙量继续减少,而汾河二库的建设,则使得兰村站悬移质输沙量变为0。     

2011-2020年赣江上游主要支流水沙变化特征

[目的]探讨近十年来赣江流域上游主要支流水沙变化的基本特征，阐明赣江上游水土保持措施与河川输沙量的关系，为赣江流域的水土流失综合治理提供科学依据。[方法]以赣江流域上游4条主要支流把口站2011—2020年水沙实测资料为基础，采用累积距平、双累积曲线等方法对支流水沙变化特征进行分析，并结合相关水土保持措施统计数据对输沙模数进行线性回归分析。[结果](1)赣江上游主要支流的降雨量和径流量的变化趋势大体相同，主要支流的输沙量呈现“丰水丰沙，贫水贫沙”的特征。(2)四条支流的输沙量均表现出持续2～3 a的上升(下降)随后出现下降(上升)的间歇性态势。除平江流域外其他流域输沙能力受非自然因素影响较大，影响因素较为复杂。(3) 2011—2020年赣江流域上游支流中平江、桃江及贡水流域输沙模数与5个水土保持因子无显著相关关系。章水流域输沙模数与新增水保林面积呈显著正相关。章水流域输沙模数与水土保持措施因子的关系方程如下：M_z=0.019S_水保林+5.126(M_z表示章水的年输沙模数，S_水保林代表对应支流流域内...     

香溪河流域降雨侵蚀力特征及简易算法初步研究

降雨侵蚀力表示降雨引起土壤侵蚀的潜在能力,对土壤侵蚀定量预报及评价研究有重要意义。利用三峡库区香溪河流域兴山气象站1990—2009年20 a的逐日降雨量资料,采用日降雨侵蚀力模型估算了研究区的降雨侵蚀力,分析了降雨侵蚀力的年内、年际演变特征,并以此为基准值建立了降雨侵蚀力简易算法模型。结果表明:香溪河流域年内降雨侵蚀力R主要集中在5—8月,占全年的71%,峰值与侵蚀性降雨峰值一致,均出现在7月;R值年际变化较大,变异系数达到0.36,多年平均降雨侵蚀力为4 361.55（MJ·mm）/（hm²·h）,R值与年降雨量和年侵蚀性降雨量年际变化趋势基本一致,但也存在少数异常年份,多年降雨侵蚀力年际变化趋势系数为0.106,呈增加趋势;简易算法模型决定系数均在0.9以上,相对误差较小,均能满足要求,可应用于研究流域,但降雨侵蚀力精确值未知,模型参数有待进一步优化。     

黄河河口-龙门区间降雨时空分布特征及其与流域产沙的关系

[目的]揭示黄土高原典型多沙粗沙区河口—龙门区间降雨时空分布特征及其与流域产沙的关系,为区域水土保持规划的制定提供科学依据。[方法]基于降雨和产沙模数资料,采用泰森多边形加权变差系数法、K-means聚类分析以及线性回归分析,系统研究河口—龙门区间降雨和产沙的空间变异规律。[结果] 1959—2015年期间,河龙区间汛期降雨和汛期降雨侵蚀力具有相同的空间分布特征,但是汛期降雨侵蚀力表现出更强的空间变异性,两者在年内和年际时间尺度上分别表现出相同的空间分布特征,并且具有纬度地带性(p0.01)。汛期降雨和汛期降雨侵蚀力在支流尺度上的空间变异性差异不大,具有同增同减的变化趋势。[结论] 1959—2015年期间,水土流失大规模治理以前,河口—龙门区间流域产沙主要受降雨的影响(p0.01),水土流失治理以后,流域产沙量锐减,降雨和流域产沙模数无显著相关关系。     

鄱阳湖流域降雨侵蚀力变化及其对入湖悬移质输沙量的影响

鄱阳湖是中国最大的淡水湖，揭示流域降雨侵蚀力时空演变及其对入湖泥沙的影响对科学指导流域生态保护与修复、促进流域生态文明高质量发展具有重要意义。基于鄱阳湖流域63个气象站1961—2017年逐日降雨量和鄱阳湖"五河"入湖悬移质输沙量（以下简称"输沙量"）年数据，采用Mann—Kendall非参数检验、双累积曲线、线性回归等方法，分析了流域降雨侵蚀力和入湖输沙量动态过程，定量评估了降雨侵蚀力变化和人类活动对入湖输沙量的影响。结果表明：鄱阳湖流域平均降雨侵蚀力为10 034.1（MJ·mm）/（hm²·h），介于6 738.8~12 734.8（MJ·mm）/（hm²·h），呈西南地区低、东北地区高的空间分布格局；降雨侵蚀力年际间呈不显著的上升趋势（P>0.05），在21世纪10年代最大，20世纪60年代最小。鄱阳湖入湖年均总输沙量1 183.3×10⁴ t，呈极显著下降趋势（P<0.01），在20世纪70年代最大，21世纪00年代最小。入湖总输沙量和赣江、信江及修水输沙量分别在1992年、1999年后发生趋势性减少（P<0.01）。以输沙量突变前的时段为基准期，突变年份后人类活动和降雨侵蚀力变化对入湖总输沙量变化的影响程度分别为-138.1%和38.1%；对赣江入湖输沙量变化的影响程度分别为-125.8%和25.8%；对信江入湖输沙量变化的影响程度分别为-121.3%和21.3%；对修水入湖输沙量变化的影响程度分别为-141.4%和41.4%。近60年降雨侵蚀力变化表现为增加入湖输沙量，而人类活动（水库建设、水土保持和采砂活动）是鄱阳湖入湖输沙量减少的主要原因。     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.     

Einfluss der düngungsmethoden auf die entwicklung von zuckerrübenkrankheiten

Während neunjähriger (1994-2002) Untersuchungen in der Versuchsanstalt Ba?cyny (Fahlerde, Fall-Gleyboden, ausgebildet aus leichtem Lehmboden) wurde der Befall mit Krankheiten an der Zuckerrübe in Abhängigkeit von der Düngungsmethode bewertet. Folgende Methoden wurden angewendet: A - Mineraldünger, B - Stalldung und Mineraldünger, C - Stroh-, Gründung und Mineraldünger, D - Kompostdünger und Biopräparate (ökologische Düngung). Auf den Objekten A, B, C wurden bei konstanter Phosphor-Kalium-Düngung die Stickstoffgaben von 0 bis 180 kg.ha^?1 differenziert. Auf dem ökologischen Objekt D ohne Mineraldünger wurden statt Stickstoff die Biopräparate P₅₀₀ und P₅₀₁ verabreicht. Der geringste Befall von Krankheiten wurde an der Zuckerrübe auf jenem Objekt festgestellt, das mit Kompost und den Biopräparaten gedüngt worden war. Im Rahmen der konventionellen Düngungsmethoden wurde allgemein die höchste Intensität der Krankheiten an der mit Stroh, Gründung und Mineraldünger gedüngten Zuckerrübe beobachtet. Ausnahmen von dieser Regel bildete das Vorkommen von echtem Mehltau und Keimlingsfäule. Auf den Objekten A, B, C nahm die Intensität der Krankheiten mit der Steigerung der Stickstoffgabe zu. Auch die auf Objekt D verabreichten Biopräparate stimulierten die Entwicklung der Krankheiten. The effect of various fertilization methods on the diseases of sugar beet was estimated on the basis of nine-year studies (1994-2002) conducted in the Experimental Production Farm in Ba?cyny on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. The following fertilization methods were applied: A - mineral fertilization, B - mineral and manure fertilization, C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization, D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparations fertilization. In the objects A, B and C fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, various doses of nitrogen ranging from 0 to 180 kg/ha^?1 were used. In the ecological object D, where mineral fertilization was not used, biodynamic preparations P₅₀₀ and P₅₀₁ were applied instead of nitrogen. The lowest ratio of the diseases of sugar beet was observed in the object fertilized with the compost and biodynamic preparations. In view of the conventional fertilization methods, generally the highest incidence of diseases was noted in the sugar beet fertilized with straw, green manure and mineral fertilizers. The exception was the occurrence of powdery mildew and the black leg. In objects A, B and C the incidence of the diseases increased with the increase in nitrogen doses. The applied biodynamical preparations in the object D stimulated the development of diseases too.     

Prospects for control of Pythium damping-off of lettuce with Trichoderma,Gliocladium and Enterobacter spp.

Summary Damping-off of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) caused by Pythium ultimum was studied in pots containing a non-sterile potting mix in the glasshouse. Fifty P. ultimum sporangia g^-1 compost reduced the plant stand to 15% and shoot dry weight to 18%, but this reduction was totally prevented by applying Trichoderma harzianum at 2×10⁵ viable propagules g^-1 potting mix. Gliocladium virens and Enterobacter cloacae also alleviated the damping-off. E. cloacae did not adversely affect the action of the fungal antagonists. The co-existence of the bacterial and fungal antagonists was revealed on the root surface and inner surface of the testa by scanning electron microscopy, indicating the compatibility of the biocontrol agents.     

细菌、真菌及植物氮营养信号研究进展

氮素吸收代谢是所有生物生命活动的核心部分,因此,各种生物对氮的吸收与同化过程都有精细的调节。这种调节依赖于生物对体内氮素状况信号及体外（生长介质中）氮素信号的感受。过去几十年中,在细菌、真菌中已经对氮素营养信号有了较好的研究,而植物中则相对缓慢,但也有了一定的认识。本文重点比较细菌、真菌及植物中氮信号系统的组成,以期为进一步认识植物中的氮信号接受与转导系统提供启示。     

Aircraft operations near concentrations of birds in Antarctica: The development of practical guidelines

Aircraft operations have the potential to disturb and to impact negatively on bird life. A gradient of increasing behavioural response is evident in birds when exposed to increasing aircraft stimulus. The most major disturbance is likely to lead to impacts on the health, breeding performance and survival of individual birds, and perhaps bird colonies. A process of revision to policies on aircraft operations contained in management plans for a number of specially protected areas in Antarctica by the United Kingdom, accompanied by consultations made within the scientific community through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and with operational interests through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) resulted in new guidelines being adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in June 2004. The principal recommendations of the guidelines are that bird colonies should not be overflown below 2000 ft (∼610 m) above ground level and landings within 1/2 nautical mile (∼930 m) of bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible. These guidelines are less stringent and less specific than those that were recommended by the SCAR specialist group on birds, and represent a compromise to accommodate operational needs. While the adoption of clear and consistent guidelines for the operation of aircraft in Antarctica is welcome in that this provides practical advice that is likely to reduce incidences of close aircraft/bird encounters, there remains insufficient knowledge of the interactions between aircraft and birds in Antarctica, and the consequent impacts on individual birds and on bird populations. It is important, therefore, that the guidelines adopted are considered interim, and should be kept under scrutiny with revisions made as new and improved research results appear.     

The abundance of heterocystous blue-green algae in rice soils and inocula used for application in rice fields

Summary Algal populations were quantified (as colony-forming units [CFU] per square centimetre) in 102 samples of rice soils from the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Portugal, and in 22 samples of soil-based inocula from four countries. Heterocystous blue-green algae (BGA) were present in all samples. Nostoc was the dominant genus in most samples, followed by Anabaena and Calothrix. In soils, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 1.0 × 10² to 8.0 × 10⁶ CFU/cm² (median 6.4 × 10⁴) and comprised, on average, 9% of the total CFU of algae. Their abundance was positively correlated with the pH and the available P content of the soils. In soil-based inocula, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 4.6 × 10⁴ to 2.8 × 10⁷ CFU/g dw (dry weight), comprising only a moderate fraction (average 13%) of the total algae. In most soils, the density of indigenous N₂-fixing BGA was usually higher than that attained by applying recommended rates of soil-based inoculum. Whereas research on the practical utilization of BGA has been mostly directed towards inoculation with foreign strains, our results suggest that attention should also be given to agricultural practices that enhance the growth of indigenous strains already adapted to local environmental conditions.Maître de Recherches ORSTOM (France), Visiting Scientist at IRRI