1999-2019年西南喀斯特地区NDVI时空变化及其气候驱动

[目的]西南喀斯特地区生态环境脆弱,对其植被覆盖变化及气候驱动机制进行研究具有重要意义。[方法]基于1999—2019年SPOT NDVI数据和同期209个气象站点的气温和降水数据,采用Theil-Sen+Mann-Kendall趋势分析法、偏相关分析和复相关分析法,探讨西南喀斯特地区NDVI时空变化及其气候驱动。[结果]1999—2019年西南喀斯特地区NDVI呈显著上升趋势,整体植被覆盖较好;NDVI变化主要以极显著上升趋势为主,仅5.73%的地区呈退化趋势。NDVI与气温和降水整体上均呈正偏相关关系,气温对NDVI的影响强于降水,且存在空间差异性。NDVI与气温和降水的复相关显著性通过0.05,0.01水平的面积分别占15.12%,5.68%;NDVI主要受气温驱动,占研究区面积的13.90%,其他气候因子驱动类型占比均未超过3%。[结论]揭示了西南喀斯特地区植被覆盖的时空变化特征,明确了气候因子对植被覆盖变化的驱动机制。     

2001-2017年新疆NDVI变化及其对极端气候的响应

[目的] 研究新疆2001—2017年植被覆盖变化，并分析其与气候指数之间的响应特征，以期为该地区生态环境保护和区域可持续发展提供理论依据。[方法] 基于2001—2017年的MOD₁₃Q₁ NDVI数据，采用最大合成法、Savitzky-Golay（SG）滤波法和相关分析等方法，并结合同期气温和降水数据，分析新疆生长季归一化植被指数（NDVI）和极端气候之间的响应关系。[结果] ①2001—2017年，新疆地区植被覆盖普遍不高，自2009年开始表现出缓慢改善趋势，且未来一段时间内，该趋势具有一定的持续性；②NDVI总体上呈西北向东南降低趋势，天山山脉和伊犁河谷地区是NDVI高值区，北疆各子区域生长季NDVI普遍高于南疆地区；③NDVI在北疆中部和南疆西南部等地区与极端气温指数多呈负相关，日平均温差（DTR）和冷夜日数（TN_10p）是主要的影响指数；NDVI与平均气温指数在沙漠地区多呈负相关，在部分山区呈正相关，这主要与年平均气温（T_y）的变化有关；④NDVI与降水指数之间多呈正相关，且单日最大降水量（RX_{1 d}），连续5日最大降水量（RX_{5 d}）和年降水量（TP_y）对NDVI的影响都很显著。[结论] 新疆植被覆盖总体向良好方向发展。NDVI对降水指数的响应高于气温指数，其中，降水指数以正向影响为主，气温指数则以负向影响为主，降水对新疆植被改善有着明显的促进作用。     

2000—2019年吕梁市植被NDVI时空动态及其影响因素分析

为了详细分析吕梁市植被生长变化与气候变化和人类活动的关系,基于吕梁市的2000—2019年逐年归一化植被指数(NDVI)数据和13个县(市、区)气象观测站年气温和降水观测数据,采用空间插值方法、空间相关性分析法和残差分析法,对吕梁市多年植被NDVI的时空变化特征进行分析,并探讨了气候变化和人类活动对吕梁市植被覆盖变化的影响。结果显示:2000—2019年吕梁市96.32%的区域NDVI呈现增加趋势,但各区域间存在明显空间性差异,中部吕梁山山区NDVI较高,东部平川地带和西部沿黄区域NDVI较小。总体而言,2000—2019年吕梁市的NDVI呈波动增加趋势,2018年达最大值。2000—2019年吕梁市NDVI与降水量和气温在年尺度上均呈正相关关系,且植被生长发育受降水的影响强于气温,全市38%的区域植被NDVI与气温-降水的复相关性通过0.05显著水平检验; 人类活动对吕梁市95%以上地区的植被生长有积极影响,表明退耕还林还草等生态修复工程对吕梁市植被覆盖增加有积极作用,生态提升效应逐渐凸显。     

2000-2015年阜康林区植被覆盖变化及其对气候因子的响应

[目的]分析阜康林区天保工程实施以来的植被覆盖变化、气温和降水变化及植被覆盖与气温和降水间的响应关系,为天保工程实施生态效益评价提供数据支持。[方法]基于2000-2015年MODIS/NDVI数据及阜康林区气温和降水数据,结合均值法、回归分析法、距平波动法和相关分析法等方法,探讨阜康林区天保工程实施以来林区内植被覆盖特征、气候变化状况及二者间的响应关系。[结果]①2000-2015年,阜康林区植被覆盖整体处于较低水平且呈不明显的波动下降趋势。阜康林区植被覆盖在近16 a变化最为明显的为NDVI>0.65部分,是阜康林区NDVI下降的主要部分;"低"和"较高"水平NDVI虽有上升但不明显,而"中等"水平NDVI上升明显且占比较大。②天保工程实施以来,阜康林区年平均气温总体呈波动下降趋势,整体下降幅度不明显。年降水量总体呈显著的波动上升趋势,降水量表现为显著的上升趋势。③天保工程实施以来,植被覆盖变化与气温变化的相关系数仅为0.0539,而与降水变化显著相关。植被覆盖变化受气温变化影响强度小于受降水的影响。[结论]天保工程实施以来,阜康林区植被覆盖总体呈波动下降趋势,但下降幅度并不显著;林区内气候总体由暖干向冷湿趋势发展,但变化趋势不明显;植被覆盖的波动与降水波动的关系要强于气温。阜康林区天保工程实施对周边气候改善具有一定作用,但仍需加强林区内植被保护与恢复工作。     

2001-2018年贵州省NDVI时空演变及其对气候变化和人类活动的响应

[目的]研究贵州省植被覆盖对气候变化和人类活动的响应程度,为区域生态环境建设提供理论依据。[方法]选取2001-2018年MODIS13 A1影像,结合气象数据,利用线性趋势分析、偏相关分析和残差分析等方法,分析了贵州省18年间NDVI的时空变化特征,探究了NDVI对气候变化的响应规律以及人类活动对NDVI的影响。[结果]①2001-2018年贵州省NDVI呈现显著上升趋势,增长速率为0.0053/a,空间上极显著增加和显著增加区域面积分别占研究区域的52.80%和16.80%。②2001-2018年贵州省气候向暖湿方向发展,NDVI与气温和降水呈正相关关系,且NDVI对气温的敏感性高于降水。③月尺度上NDVI对气温的响应不存在滞后性,对降水响应存在一个月滞后性;NDVI与气候月尺度相关性高于年尺度。④人类活动对贵州省植被覆盖作用日益增强,对NDVI贡献度为72.30%。[结论]人类活动对NDVI的影响大于气候变化,贵州省植被变化是气候变化和人类活动共同作用的结果。     

江苏省植被覆盖动态变化及其与气候因子的关系

[目的]研究2000—2013年江苏省植被覆盖状况的时空分布特征,并从年际和季节尺度上分析植被覆盖的空间变化特征以及NDVI与气温、降水量的相关关系和滞后性,以期为区域生态环境监测、生态环境保护和植被可持续发展提供参考。[方法]运用美国国家航空航天局(NASA)发布的2000—2013年MODIS 13Q1级产品(归一化植被指数)和江苏省1999—2013年各气象站点气象资料,采用最大值合成法、趋势线分析法、Person相关分析法和偏相关分析法。[结果](1)14a来,江苏省植被NDVI整体上呈下降趋势,且在时间和空间尺度上有所差异;(2)由于气温、降水量、厄尔尼诺和拉尼娜等事件的影响,NDVI在年际和季节间呈波动性变化;(3)NDVI对降水变化响应的滞后期为1个月,NDVI基本同步于相应气温的变化,仅夏季滞后期为1月。[结论]从时间尺度上看,年际、秋季,NDVI呈下降趋势,而春夏季,NDVI呈上升趋势;从空间尺度上看,江苏省西部的植被覆盖程度明显优于东部沿海和长江中下游平原。NDVI在年际和季节尺度上与气候因子的相关性显著,且与气温的相关性最好。     

2001-2013年宝鸡地区植被NDVI对气温和降水量的季节响应特征

[目的]研究2001-2013年陕西省宝鸡地区植被变化与气温和降水量的时空变化特征及其相关性,为区域农业发展和区域生态文明建设提供有力支撑.[方法]基于2001-2013年宝鸡地区气温和降水量数据,利用MODIS NDVI数据和11个气象站点实测数据,结合实际调查,采用一元线性回归、标准化处理、相关分析等方法,基于季尺度、参照年尺度分析宝鸡地区植被覆盖季节时空变化及其与气温和降水量的相关性.[结果]夏季植被NDVI增加趋势最为明显,其次为秋季,冬季植被覆盖最差;宝鸡地区四季标准化值NDVI与气温、降水量的变化趋势相接近,其最大值点的出现时间与气温和降水量基本对应.同一季节NDVI与气温的相关系数均高于NDVI与相应季节降水量的相关系数(除夏季);春季NDVI与冬季气温(-0.592)、夏季NDVI与春季降水量(0.640)之间显著相关,表明近13 a来春季植被覆盖变化与冬季气温、夏季植被覆盖与春季降水量的变化较为一致,NDVI与降水之间的滞后关系为0～3个月.[结论]2001-2013年宝鸡地区年均、季NDVI整体均呈增加趋势,8月植被覆盖变化与降水量的变化较为一致,降水量较气温对8月植被生长影响强烈.     

秦岭牛背梁植被覆盖变化及其对气温的时空响应

[目的]揭示牛背梁保护区植被覆盖变化特征及其对区域气温的响应机理,为牛背梁地区的生态建设和管理提供依据。[方法]基于秦岭1975—2013年气温数据和2000—2013年NDVI数据,运用GIS空间分析技术以及相关检验和回归分析方法。[结果](1)近40a来牛背梁地区年均温增加速率为0.30℃/10a,1999年增温趋势达到显著水平。(2)2000—2013年研究区植被变化呈不显著的减少趋势,且季节和区域差异较大。(3)年尺度上,植被NDVI与气温整体呈正相关关系。季尺度上,春季植被NDVI与气温均呈显著正相关;夏季NDVI与气温呈不显著正相关;而秋季主要呈负相关。月尺度上,随植被生长阶段的变化,不同月份植被NDVI对气温的响应程度也有差异。[结论]牛背梁地区NDVI与气温关系密切,一年之中,5月植被对气温反应最敏感,且中高海拔地区的植被对气温的响应比低海拔植被更加敏感。     

2000-2018年赣江上游植被覆盖度时空演化及其对气候变化的响应

[目的] 对赣江上游植被覆盖度时空演化及其对气候变化响应的研究，为区域的生态环境保护提供科学依据和数据支撑。[方法] 基于MODIS NDVI数据，结合年平均气温和年降水量数据，运用趋势分析、变异系数、Hurst指数与相关分析等方法对赣江上游2000—2018年的植被覆盖度时空演化及其对气候变化的响应进行了分析。[结果] ①赣江上游植被覆盖度呈显著增加趋势，增速为5.21%/10 a，空间上呈现四周高中间低的特征，且以高植被覆盖为主；研究区植被覆盖度呈极显著和显著增加的分别占25.59%和39.7%，极显著和显著减少的分别占1.32%和2.46%，而变化不显著的占57.84%；②研究区植被覆盖总体上比较稳定，平均变异系数为14.73%；Hurst分析显示赣江上游植被变化反持续性要强于持续性，总体上以弱反持续性为主；③研究区植被生长总体上受气温影响强于降水量，但存在空间差异。[结论] 赣江上游植被覆盖度变化较小，未来将呈微弱下降趋势，气温是影响植被生长的主要气候因子。     

1982-2014年祁连山植被生长季NDVI变化及其对气候的响应

祁连山是西北地区重要的生态功能区和河西绿洲的水源涵养地,全面了解植被的生长变化有助于制定合理的气候变化对策。利用1982-1999年的GIMMS NDVI数据和2000-2014年的MODIS NDVI数据,采用最大值合成法、均值法、斜率法、相关分析法等,对祁连山近35年生长季植被变化及其对气候变化的响应进行了深入研究。结果表明:1982-2014年,祁连山植被NDVI整体呈增加趋势,但变化趋势并不明显;近35年,祁连山植被NDVI呈增加趋势的面积比呈降低趋势的面积大,表明植被覆盖状况有所改善,植被NDVI增加的区域集中于中西部,而植被NDVI降低的区域集中于东部;气候的年际变化对祁连山植被NDVI有一定的影响,植被NDVI对气温和降水存在一定的滞后性响应。气温升高和降水增加有助于祁连山植被覆盖增加,生态环境得到改善。     

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