基于图谱分析的福建省生态环境与城市化耦合关系研究

根据福建省城市化和生态环境的特征,分别从人口城市化、经济城市化、社会城市化、空间城市化和生态环境水平、生态环境压力、生态环境保护共7个方面进行福建省生态环境与城市化耦合指标体系的构建.利用层次分析法确定指标权重,建立耦合度和耦合协调度模型,对福建省生态环境与城市化耦合关系进行定量分析,以地学信息图谱的方法进行图谱分析.研究结果表明:(1)福建省市辖区的耦合度优良,而下属的县区情况比较差,区域间的不平衡发展明显;(2)福建省的城市化和生态环境交互耦合的时序基本处于颉颃时期.但耦合度明显存在着地域差异;(3)福建省生态环境与城市化耦合关系比较好,协调度比较高,以中强度中协调的地区居多,低强度低协调的地区比较少,生态环境和城市化的整体协同效应比较好.     

云南城市生态环境与农村生态环境耦合协调关系分析

利用2009~2013年相关数据,在城市生态环境与农村生态环境耦合协调关系评价指标体系构建的基础上,运用熵权法确定指标权重,同时引入耦合度与耦合协调度模型,定量计算云南城市生态环境与农村生态环境的耦合度与耦合协调度,并结合耦合度阶段与协调度类型划分标准对两者间的耦合协调关系进行定量评价。研究表明:从综合指数看,云南城市生态环境综合指数波动较大,农村生态环境综合指数变化比较平稳,且城市生态环境综合指数增幅小于农村生态环境综合指数增幅;从耦合度看,云南出现由农村生态环境滞后向城市生态环境滞后的转变,城市生态环境与农村生态环境耦合度经历了从磨合阶段到高水平耦合阶段的变化,两系统间的发展方向越趋有序,关系越趋稳定;从协调度看,云南城市生态环境与农村生态环境协调度呈上升趋势,耦合协调类型从低度协调转变为中度协调并最终呈现良好协调的发展态势。     

固原市原州区生态环境与经济系统的耦合协调发展

[目的]构建宁夏回族自治区固原市原州区生态环境系统和社会经济系统之间的耦合度和耦合协调度模型,以期为区域的协调发展调控提供科学依据。[方法]基于固原市原州区2002—2016年生态环境和社会经济的数据,构建原州区区域生态系统指标评价体系,采用熵值赋权法计算各个评价指标的权重以及综合评价指数,通过建立耦合度、耦合协调度模型和灰色预测度模型,得到并预测该区域生态环境系统和社会经济系统的耦合度和耦合协调度发展趋势以及耦合协调类型。[结果] 2002—2016年,固原市原州区社会经济系统评价指数稳定上升,受生态环境压力的影响,生态系统综合评价指数呈现先下降后波动上升的趋势,前者的发展速度快于后者;耦合度和耦合协调度不断上升,耦合协调类型从经济滞后中度失调型发展为生态环境滞后的濒临失调型;通过模型预测,2017—2025年生态环境系统和社会经济系统之间耦合度及耦合协调度将逐渐升高,耦合协调类型会不断向理想状态发展。[结论]固原市原州区由于经济发展水平快于生态环境建设力度,从而制约了该区域整体的协调发展。因此为实现原州区区域生态系统的可持续发展。还需大力加强对生态环境的建设。     

宁夏六盘山连片特困区生态环境与经济发展耦合协调研究

以宁夏六盘山贫困地区为例,建立了耦合协调度评价指标体系,综合运用熵权法、耦合协调度模型以及地理探测器等方法对研究区2006—2016年生态环境与经济发展耦合协调度做出了时空变化分析。结果表明:(1)研究期间,宁夏六盘山生态环境与经济发展耦合度和耦合协调度呈现同步稳定增长的变化态势,生态环境与经济发展耦合度和协调度指数呈现出先减后增的变化趋势,说明生态系统与经济系统之间相互作用程度不断增强,内部协调程度进一步提升。(2)从空间分异来看,耦合协调低值区主要分布在经济发展落后且生态环境质量较差的西北和南部地区,高值区主要分布在经济发展水平、城市化水平较高的行政中心区域,耦合协调度由西北向东南呈现出低—高—低的空间分布格局;耦合协调度高、低值区的分布主要受经济发展水平、城市化水平、资源禀赋等条件的限制。(3)基于地理探测器探测影响耦合协调度空间分异因素的结果可知:人均GDP、GDP增长率、农村人均纯收入、森林覆盖率、建成区绿化覆盖率、人均公园绿地面积、环保投资额占GDP比重、人均牧草地面积和人均水资源量等因子的q值均大于0.9,是影响六盘山区生态环境与经济发展耦合协调度空间分异的主导因素,也是区域经济发展和生态建设过程中应关注的重要因素。     

黄河流域2008-2018年可持续发展评价与系统协调发展分析

[目的] 对黄河流域可持续发展与系统协调发展进行评价和分析,为黄河流域的可持续发展提供理论参考。[方法] 基于资源、经济、社会、生态环境和科技5个系统选取37项指标构建黄河流域可持续发展指标体系,以2008—2018年黄河流域9个省份为研究对象,利用熵权法、灰色关联分析法综合确定指标权重,并计算5个子系统的耦合度与耦合协调度,最后,对其耦合协调度使用灰色GM （1.1）模型进行预测。[结果] 黄河流域的可持续发展综合评价指数在2008年和2018年分别为0.214 5和0.410 2,整体上呈现上升趋势;2008—2018年9个省份的系统耦合度整体呈现上升趋势;2008年有4个省份的耦合度处于磨合阶段,有4个省份的耦合度处于高水平磨合阶段,只有甘肃省的耦合度处于拮抗阶段。2018年耦合度发生改善,9个省份的耦合度都处于高水平磨合阶段,但耦合度数值各省间存在差距。9个省份的耦合协调度未来7 a的发展均为上升态势。[结论] 黄河流域的可持续发展水平总体上逐年改善,但在空间分布上黄河流域各省的耦合协调度指数值存在差距。     

宁夏回族自治区生态环境与经济发展耦合协调研究

为了研究区域生态环境与社会经济协调发展状况,以宁夏回族自治区为例,通过构建评价指标体系,综合运用熵权法、耦合协调度模型、剪刀差方法以及耦合度模型对宁夏生态环境与社会经济发展状况、耦合协调水平以及耦合度演化趋势进行了综合分析。结果显示:研究期间宁夏生态环境系统综合发展指数呈波动上升的变化趋势,社会经济发展水平逐年上升;耦合协调指数由0.3225上升至0.5962,说明区域生态环境与社会经济的关系不断缓和,趋向于协调发展;剪刀差呈先减后增的“U”型变化趋势,说明两系统发展差异呈先减小后增大的变化态势;宁夏生态环境与社会经济发展耦合度介于(45°,90°],说明两系统处于协调发展阶段,而耦合度整体呈上升态势,说明经济发展与生态环境之间的矛盾开始显现。基于耦合模型所建立的耦合协调度,较好地反映了宁夏生态环境与社会经济之间交互胁迫的耦合发展过程,对于正确认识宁夏生态与经济系统耦合发展规律,促进宁夏生态与经济协调发展具有重大意义。     

河南省城市化与生态环境耦合协调状态的时空格局

[目的] 探索河南省城市化与生态环境耦合协调状态的空间聚集特征,提出相关的发展建议,为河南省城市可持续发展提供科学的参考。[方法] 通过构建城市化与生态环境评价体系,利用改进的耦合协调度模型,研究2008—2018年河南省城市化与生态环境发展水平及耦合协调度,对河南省17个地级城市耦合协调度进行时空格局分析。[结果] 2008—2018年全省耦合度值都在0.9以上,耦合协调度呈波动上升趋势;多数城市的城市化水平低于生态环境水平,各市城市化与生态环境的耦合协调度等级有基本不协调、基本协调、协调、高级协调;城镇化与生态环境耦合协调存在空间正相关性,有西部和中部耦合协调度高、东南部耦合协调度低的聚类特征。[结论] 河南省整体城镇化进程加快,经济城市化和生态环境压力分别对城市化和生态环境两大系统产生了重要影响。应加强郑州市中心城市的发展,推动河南东南部城市的发展。     

宁南山区生态环境与社会经济的耦合协调发展

[目的] 研究宁南山区生态环境与经济系统的协调发展状况,为该区可持续发展提供科学依据。[方法] 以宁南山区为研究区,基于该区9个县的各项生态与经济基本指标,构建自然生态系统与社会经济系统指标体系,使用熵值法确定各指标权重,计算自然生态系统和社会经济系统综合指数。在此基础上,利用耦合度模型和耦合协调度模型分析社会经济系统与生态环境系统的耦合协调状态以及演变趋势。[结果] ①在2000—2017年,宁南山区各县社会经济发展水平逐步上升,自然生态系统综合指数整体呈波动下降趋势。②宁南山区各县耦合度呈现先上升后稍有下降的趋势,但整体范围保持在[0.89,1] ,处于较高水平。③宁南山区耦合协调度类型属于协调发展类。2015—2017年盐池县的协调度有所下降,同心县的协调度上升程度较低,其余县均保持上升趋势。[结论] 近些年,随着经济水平的提高,宁南山区生态环境承载力逐渐不能适配其快速发展的社会经济,生态与经济之间的矛盾逐渐显露。耦合协调度模型较好地反映了宁南山区生态环境与社会经济之间交互胁迫的发展过程,为正确认识宁南山区生态与经济系统耦合发展规律提供了依据。     

青海省湟水谷地经济发展与生态环境耦合协调度的时空分异

经济与生态环境的协调有序发展是可持续发展的重要基础,以青海湟水谷地3个典型区县为例,构建了经济发展—生态环境系统的评价指标体系,并运用耦合协调模型分析了2008—2015年两系统的耦合协调度及综合发展水平,最后从时空角度定量揭示出湟水谷地经济发展与生态环境两系统之间相互耦合协调程度及空间分布规律。研究结果表明:(1)2008—2015年湟水谷地经济发展—生态环境耦合协调度总体呈上升趋势,属于良好耦合的中度协调类型,D∈[0.429 4,0.743 8]。(2)空间分布上来看,3个区县的耦合度出现了初级耦合、中级耦合和良好耦合3种状态;耦合协调度出现了轻度失调、濒临失调、勉强协调、初级协调和中度协调5种状态,耦合协调度的变化稍滞后于耦合度的变化。(3)空间组合上,出现了初级耦合濒临失调衰退区、良好耦合轻度失调衰退区、中级耦合濒临失调衰退区、良好耦合勉强协调区、良好耦合初级协调区、良好耦合中度协调发展区6种空间组合类型。总体而言,经济发展对生态环境的胁迫作用和生态环境对经济发展的约束作用是制约整体协调发展水平的主要原因。研究结果为提高青海湟水谷地综合发展质量、协调区域经济发展与生态环境保护提供决策参考。     

广西山水林田湖生命共同体的耦合协调性评价

[目的] 分析区域山水林田湖生命共同体各要素的耦合协调状态,为更精准开展国土空间规划、生态修复和自然资源要素综合监测提供科学依据。[方法] 以综合评价指数、协调度指数、耦合度指数和关联度指数为基础构建评价分析框架。基于PSR模型,从“山、水、林、田、湖”5个方面构建评价指标体系,运用综合评价模型、耦合协调模型和灰色关联模型探究广西壮族自治区2005—2017年山水林田湖生命共同体的耦合协调时空分异特征及其驱动因素。[结果] ①山水林田湖生命共同体的综合评价指数由2005年的0.918上升至2017年的0.931,具体表现为：水系统 > 田系统 > 林系统 > 湖系统 > 山系统。②山水林田湖生命共同体的耦合协调度由2005年的0.909下降至2017年的0.861,虽然为良好耦合协调状态,但有下降态势。两要素间耦合协调度较高的为“水—田”,3要素间较高的为“水—林—田”,4要素间较高的为“水—林—田—湖”。③影响山水林田湖生命共同体耦合协调发展的主要驱动因素是水要素,灰色关联度为0.723,具体指标因子为水土流失治理。[结论] 山水林田湖生命共同体是一个开放性的“山水林田湖+”的概念范畴,可依据各要素的典型性进行耦合叠加重组,其中水要素是山水林田湖生命共同体各要素耦合关联的核心,水土流失治理是关键因素。广西区内山水林田湖生命共同体综合水平虽然有所改善,但耦合协调情况不容乐观,应以水土流失治理为出发点,串联山水林田湖各要素,进行统筹规划与生态整治,搭建自然资源要素综合监测与质量管理体系,提高耦合协调状态,实现高质量的可持续发展。     

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