固原市原州区2000-2018年“三生”用地及生态系统服务变化

[目的] 对宁夏回族自治区原州区退耕还林以来“三生”用地变化及生态系统服务损益进行分析,为该区的国土空间开发与主体功能优化提供科学参考。[方法] 基于主导功能原则构建“三生”用地分类体系,在识别原州区2000—2018年“三生”用地类型、分析用地结构与空间格局的基础上,采用当量因子法定量评估“三生”用地变化对生态系统服务价值（ESV）的影响。[结果] ①2000—2018年,原州区生产用地减少4 243.68 hm²,占地比例由42.88%降为41.88%,但水浇地和园地面积明显增加;生态用地减少5 673.08 hm²,比例由54.66%降为52.52%,但以林地比例提升为主的内部结构优化特征显著;生活用地扩张迅速,增加10 272.63 hm²,从2.46%提升为6.19%,以城镇面积增加为主要特征。②“三生”用地中生活用地面积动态度最高为-3.31%,二级地类中水浇地、园地、城镇用地、林地和草地分别为“生产—生活—生态”用地中动态度最高地类;并且研究前期“三生”用地动态度明显大于研究后期。③空间上,以清水河谷为代表的河谷地区主要表现为水浇地和园地的增加;城区和三营镇、头营镇等城镇建设用地扩张迅速;六盘山地和黄土丘陵沟壑区的林地生态用地大幅增加。④研究时段内原州区的ESV增加了10.06亿元,供给、调节、支持、文化功能均大幅提升。导致ESV减少的转移流向主要有旱地转为居民点,旱地转为工矿水利用地,草地转为旱地,草地转为工矿水利用地,草地转为居民点,林地转为旱地,林地转草地,其余转移方式均对ESV的增长有益。[结论] 研究时段内原州区“三生”用地演化节奏逐渐放慢,ESV逐年提高;“三生”格局变化上呈现出生活用地向中心集聚并向外扩张,生产用地围绕城镇分布,生态用地则向边缘扩张。     

面向乡村振兴战略的乡村发展格局及其分区研究

该文综合运用兴趣点、遥感影像等多源数据,基于"生产-生活-生态"(简称"三生")空间功能视角,设计了面向乡村振兴战略的乡村发展评价方法,并以平谷区为例开展乡村发展格局及分区研究。结果表明:平谷区乡村生产、生活、生态功能的空间分布特征,总体符合平谷区生态涵养建设目标及产业发展规律。基于空间的主导功能,将平谷区划分为生产主导、生活主导、生态主导、生活生产复合、生产生态复合、生态生活复合、生产生活生态复合共7类功能区。通过分析发现,平谷区基本呈现"平原区生产功能主导、中心城区及乡镇中心村生活功能主导、山区乡镇生态生活功能主导"的分布特征,其中生产主导功能区和生态生活复合功能区居多,面积占比分别为27.27%和24.38%。建议生产主导功能区积极发展现代化农业及旅游业,促进乡村产业振兴;生活主导功能区适度推进农村公共服务设施建设,促进乡村生态宜居;生态主导功能区坚持生态优先,保障生态空间功能发展;兼具2种以上优势空间功能类型的复合功能区,应结合区域自身及周边乡村的空间特性,宜生产则生产、宜生活则生活、宜生态则生态,优化布局"三生"空间;而复合功能区中"三生"功能均处于劣势的乡村,则需要结合"三生"空间功能发展的迫切程度,合理展开村庄空间规划和重构。研究结果可为乡村振兴战略实施下的乡村发展规划编制和建设实践提供指导。     

乌鲁木齐市2000-2018年“三生”空间格局演变及其风险评价

[目的] 剖析生产—生活—生态（“三生”）空间转变对绿洲城市生态风险变化的影响,实现“三生”空间的协调发展,为解决经济快速发展和社会转型中带来的国土开发秩序混乱及资源环境问题提供科学依据。[方法] 基于乌鲁木齐市2000,2010和2018年3期“三生”空间矢量数据,借助GIS空间分析、地统计分析等方法,分析“三生”空间演变特征,并构建网格尺度下的生态风险指数,对该地区生态风险时空分异特征进行定量评价。[结果] ①研究期间,研究区生活生产空间面积增加明显,增长率高达169.78%,生态生产空间面积平缓上升,生态空间和生产生态空间面积下降率达到4.27%和21.79%。“三生”空间综合动态度为0.40%,均呈现重心南移趋势。②2000—2018年生态空间区域内以高、较高风险等级为主,比例达92.15%,其他空间内风险等级相对较低;生活生产空间及生产生态空间区域内风险等级上升。③2010—2018年,该区域的生态风险程度有所减缓,生态风险等级变化以下降为主,是风险等级上升面积的1.95倍。④研究区生态风险对“三生”空间变化的响应弹性降低,表明影响生态风险的因素呈现多样化的特征。[结论] ①近20 a来该区域生活生产空间面积明显扩张,增加了606.99 km²,主要由其周边的生态空间以及生产生态空间转入; ②该区域生态安全状况后期趋于好转,但依旧属于中高风险地区,需要对生态系统极不稳定的生态空间加强管理。     

基于洛伦兹曲线和土地利用转型的喀斯特山区“三生”空间分布研究

[目的]对贵州省都匀市"三生"空间分布进行研究,为喀斯特山区"三生"空间可持续发展、县域科学开展国土空间规划、生态环境保护提供参考依据。[方法]采用洛伦兹曲线、基尼系数及转型模型对都匀市2009—2018年"三生"空间进行综合研究。[结果]①2018年,都匀市"三生"空间现状主要以生态空间为主,生态空间占都匀市国土面积的69.19%,比例较高;其次为生产空间,比例为26.87%;而生活空间则占比相对较小。②2009—2018年间生产空间和生态空间面积呈现出下降趋势,生活空间面积则呈现出增长趋势,从二级空间转移来看,城镇和农村生活空间面积增长来自农业生产空间和林地生态空间,城市建设发展占用部分林地资源和农业资源。③从2009—2018年洛伦兹曲线和基尼系数来看生态空间和生产空间分布相对平均,而生活空间与其他空间相比更远离绝对平均线,下凹程度大,2009—2018年基尼系数均介于0.3～0.4间,生活空间分布基本合理。④从区位熵来看,生态空间优势区域主要为研究区西部地区,生活空间优势区域主要集中在中部地区,生产空间优势区域主要为南部及东部地区。[结论]都匀市"三生"空间分布基本合理,城市以生态空间为主,在今后城市建设中,应在保障生态空间的同时,合理进行城市发展,避免过多占用生态用地。     

基于“三生”空间的土地利用冲突时空演变特征研究——以厦门、漳州和泉州城市群为例

[目的] 研究“三生”空间冲突水平测度,为中小城市群土地利用空间冲突管理和优化调控提供参考。[方法] 以厦门、漳州市和泉州市（以下简称“厦漳泉”）城市群2000,2010,2020年3期遥感影像数据为基础提取土地利用信息,从景观生态学角度构建土地利用空间冲突评价指标体系并定量测算,分析其时空演变特征。[结果] ①2000—2020年厦漳泉城市群三生用地类型以生态生产用地为主导,生活生产用地面积逐年保持增长且扩张速度最快。②20年间厦漳泉城市群整体处于中等空间冲突级别,空间冲突逐渐加剧,强冲突空间在三大城市中心城区及周边表现明显。③土地利用空间冲突全局Moran’s I指数检验结果高度显著,空间冲突集聚效应增强,局部空间的高高集聚和低低集聚空间集聚特征表现明显,低高集聚和高低集聚表现不明显,但内部空间关系基本稳定。[结论] 2000—2020年厦漳泉城市群空间冲突强度整体加剧,应加强分区管控和健全冲突风险预警机制。     

辽宁省“三生”功能时空演变及其碳排放效应

[目的] 探究辽宁省"三生"功能时空演变及其碳排放效应,为"双碳"目标下的国土空间规划提供依据。[方法] 基于土地利用多功能性分类识别辽宁省国土"三生"功能,结合直接和间接排放因子法核算碳排放量,探索"三生"功能与碳排放量空间关系及其时空分异性,揭示"三生"功能时空演变的碳排放效应。[结果] ①2005-2020年辽宁省"三生"功能空间分布格局总体变化不大,大部分地区以生产和生态功能为主,生活功能区扩张明显,各地级市中心与周边区域空间差异明显。②2005-2013年,辽宁省各县域碳排放量增长迅速,2013-2020年增速缓慢,但空间差异愈发显著,碳排放高值明显集中在沈阳市和大连市。③辽宁省"三生"功能与碳排放量空间布局及数量变化的相关性总体较强,但空间差异明显且影响因素复杂。[结论] 辽宁省各县域需要在自然地理条件约束和经济社会发展需求引导下,在明确各自土地主导功能定位的基础上,依托自身区域优势与资源禀赋,加强区域协作,以实现全域碳减排。     

陕西省2000-2018年土地利用时空演变及驱动因素

[目的] 分析陕西省土地利用变化及驱动因素,为促进该省土地资源综合优化配置和社会经济可持续发展提供科学依据。[方法] 基于2000,2010和2018年陕西省的土地利用遥感监测数据,通过土地利用动态度、土地利用转移矩阵、空间自相关等方法定量分析陕西省土地利用的时空演变特征,并利用主成分分析法对其土地利用变化的驱动力进行分析。[结果] 各土地利用类型面积均有不同程度的变化。其中,耕地面积下降最多,工矿建设用地面积增速最快,水域面积变化最小。土地利用类型受自然条件的影响,空间差异性显著。农村居民用地、未利用地、耕地、林地、草地的空间聚集性强,水域、城镇居民用地和工矿生产用地的空间集聚性性相对较弱,草地、工矿建设用地形成新的集聚区。陕北高原和关中平原土地利用转移相对频繁,陕南山区土地利用转换相对较小。榆林市和延安市主要表现为耕地向林地和草地转移以及未利用地和草地向工矿建设用地转移,西安市主要表现为耕地和农村居民用地向城镇居民用地转移。土地利用变化的主要因素是城市化发展过程中社会经济的发展以及产业结构的调整。[结论] 陕西省土地利用变化区域差异较大,应因地制宜制定土地利用规划,促进人口—经济—生态之间的协调发展。     

环鄱阳湖城市群“三生”用地转型的生态环境效应及其地形梯度分析

[目的]准确评估“三生”用地转型对生态环境质量的影响，可为国土空间优化和区域高质量发展提供科学依据。[方法]基于环鄱阳湖城市群2000年、2010年、2020年的土地利用数据，使用土地转移矩阵、生态环境质量指数、地形分布指数等方法，分析了“三生”用地转型过程、生态环境效应及其梯度分异特征。[结果](1) 2000—2020年环鄱阳湖城市群生活用地大幅增长(1 063.45 km²),生态用地持续减少(997.41 km²),生产用地总体上保持稳定，主要的用地转型模式为城镇生活用地和工矿生产用地对农业生产用地和林地生态用地的侵占。(2)时序变化上，2000—2010年，随着工矿生产用地和城乡生活用地的扩张，生态环境质量指数由1.428下降至1.424;2010—2020年，伴随着生态用地的恢复以及城镇生活用地和工矿生产用地内部格局的不断优化，生态环境质量指数由1.424升至1.447。(3)空间分布上，整体上呈现“东西高、中部低”的空间分布格局，形成了以南昌大都市圈为中心的中部生态环境质量低值区和以宜春市、景德镇市、上饶市为中心的东西部生态环境...     

新疆乌鲁木齐市“三生”用地的空间冲突研究

[目的]探析新疆乌鲁木齐市“三生”用地变化及其引起的空间冲突变动,为该地区的土地资源优化配置提供参考依据。[方法]利用外部压力、脆弱性和稳定性3个因子构建格网尺度下的空间冲突测度模型,对该地区2000—2018年空间冲突时空分异特征进行定量评价。[结果](1)2000—2018年,乌鲁木齐市北部为城市生活用地的主要增长方向,农业生产用地空间格局呈现破碎化趋势,生态用地是乌鲁木齐市三生用地的主要组成部分,应避免人类活动对新增核心生态用地的占用。(2)各个时期乌鲁木齐市“三生”空间冲突等级均表现为：稳定可控>轻度冲突>中度冲突>重度冲突。(3)重度冲突空间单元增幅最大,表明乌鲁木齐市重度冲突失控的地区范围有扩大的趋势。这应是乌鲁木齐市空间冲突调控的重点区域。(4)不同空间类型的空间冲突存在一定差异。乌鲁木齐市冲突强度从大到小依次为：生产空间>生活空间>生态空间。[结论]乌鲁木齐市“三生”用地变化与区域经济社会发展具有较强的吻合性,未来应逐步改变生活空间过速扩张而导致冲突水平逐渐增强的现象。应更加重视城市生活用地的动态监测,保护核心生态用地,以实现“三生”用地更...     

基于“三生”空间的重庆市土地利用演变与城镇化关系研究

[目的] 分析重庆市土地利用时空演变规律,探究土地利用转型及景观格局响应的演变特征与城镇化的关系,为重庆市"三生"土地规划与城镇化可持续发展提供数据支持。[方法] 基于"三生空间"功能分类的视角构建用地分类标准,利用2000,2010,2020年土地遥感影像和夜间灯光数据,采用转移矩阵、相关性分析及回归分析法进行分析。[结果] ①2000-2020年重庆市生产、生态空间总体减少,生活空间持续扩张。2000-2010年,生产、生态空间减少191.87,252.95 km²,生活空间增大446.03 km²;2010-2020年,生产空间面积减少13.76 km²,生态空间减少324.05 km²,生活空间增大314.87 km²。②重庆市生产功能向生活功能转化较为明显。随着城镇化加强,生态空间转向生产空间显著,功能转变明显聚集于重庆市中心区域。③重庆市空间景观破碎度减小,景观复杂度逐渐提高,林草水生态空间占据主导优势。④2000-2010,2010-2020年土地利用面积变化对夜间灯光值的影响存在差异;2000年,城镇生活空间、农村生活空间变化对夜间灯光变化影响起主导作用,而2020年工业生产空间、城镇生活空间变化对夜间灯光变化影响较强。[结论] 重庆市各类空间发生相互转换,利用不同"三生"空间类型变化和城镇化的关系,推动土地规划与城镇化协调发展。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

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.     

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.