人工降雨条件下不同坡度和降雨强度对聚丙烯酰胺控制紫色土磷素流失的影响

通过模拟降雨试验研究不同坡度和降雨强度条件下,施用聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)对紫色土磷素流失的影响。结果表明:在控制径流上,施用PAM对较大坡度效果比缓坡明显(p<0.05),随坡度增加壤中流产流时间提前、流量增大。同时,坡耕地表面径流量和流速变化可能存在临界坡度范围(15°～20°),当坡度超过临界范围时,流速和流量反而减小。在磷素流失控制上,施用PAM对大坡度控制效果比小坡度显著(p<0.01)。施用PAM后,紫色土坡地表面径流量和径流速率均随降雨强度增大而增大,而径流中TP浓度逐渐减少,在中等雨强(34mm/h)时,PAM对紫色土磷素流失控制效果最好,其总磷(TP)流失量分别为低雨强(17mm/h)和大雨强(84mm/h)的77.37%和40.22%。由降雨径流量和磷输出的关系发现,雨强对TP浓度随径流量的变化趋势有一定影响,但影响较小;坡度对TP浓度的变化趋势基本没有影响。     

太湖流域典型蔬菜地磷流失因素的交互效应模型研究

本文通过野外径流小区试验,采用人工模拟降雨,研究了雨强、施磷水平、坡度以及植被覆盖度对菜地土壤磷素径流流失的影响.在此基础上,结合二次通用旋转组合设计方法,构建了土壤TP和PP浓度与雨强、施磷量和坡度之间关系的回归模型,并对各因子之间的交互作用进行了分析.结果表明,雨强、施磷量和坡度的增加,从而增加了土壤侵蚀,促进了径流中TP、DP和PP的流失;而小白菜在不同的生长期内,随着植被覆盖度的增加,产流历时延长,径流量减少,但与各形态磷流失浓度之间没有发现明显的相关关系.双因素交互效应表明,雨强和施磷量、施磷量和坡度以及雨强和坡度对径流中TP和PP浓度的影响存在一个值域,即降雨强度在中小雨强0.83～1.17mm·min-1,施磷量处在不施磷和低施磷≤30kg· hm-2,坡度为0°和3 °.低于这个值域时,其交互效应对径流中TP和PP浓度的影响不明显,高于这个值域时则都表现协同促进作用.因此,在农田管理上,应尽量采取措施削弱交互效应的协同促进作用,进而减弱土壤磷素径流流失对水环境的影响.     

雨强和坡度对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀及氮磷流失的影响

采用人工模拟降雨的手段,在2种雨强(50,75mm/h)、4种坡度(5°,10°,15°,20°)条件下,研究了雨强和坡度对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀和养分流失的影响。结果表明:(1)降雨强度从50mm/h增大到75mm/h,相同坡度的坡面开始产流时间提前了2.75~4.79min。(2)随着雨强的增大,同一坡度的坡面径流量增加了12.53~15.80mm/m2,增加幅度为1.24~1.31倍;同一坡度的坡面产沙量增加了0.47~3.61kg/m2,增加幅度为0.77~2.90倍。坡面侵蚀过程中,存在临界坡度,为15°左右。(3)氮素流失以径流流失为主,泥沙中总氮的流失量较低,仅占径流总氮流失量的1.4%~9.7%。坡度较小时,磷素流失途径以径流流失为主,随着坡度的增加,磷素的流失途径以泥沙流失为主。(4)径流总氮流失浓度与径流强度呈线性正相关,泥沙总氮和总磷流失浓度与产沙率也分别呈显著的线性正相关。     

模拟降雨条件下不同砾石含量工程边坡土壤侵蚀及水动力学特征

[目的]探究砾石含量对急陡工程边坡土壤侵蚀及流水力学特征的影响。[方法]采用室内模拟降雨试验和人工制备土壤等方法,研究了在3种降雨强度(40,60,80 mm/h),5种砾石含量(3%,15%,35%,55%,75%)条件下50°工程边坡土壤侵蚀率变化特征以及土壤侵蚀率与各水动力学参数的关系。[结果]①40,60,80 mm/h雨强下,各砾石含量坡面径流率较土质坡面分别减少了10.1%～55.9%,13.9%～41.9%,19.6%～47.7%;径流剪切力、径流功率、过水断面单位能分别与砾石含量呈显著递减的线性函数、指数函数、幂函数关系。②坡面侵蚀率随着砾石含量的增加而减小,不同试验雨强下侵蚀率大小及变化过程具有明显差异。当雨强为40 mm/h时,坡面整体产沙率较低,随降雨过程整体呈现出缓慢增加的趋势;当雨强为60 mm/h时,不同砾石含量下侵蚀率迅速增加后呈波浪式缓慢上升或平稳下降的趋势;当雨强为80 mm/h时,砾石含量为3%条件下,坡面侵蚀率迅速增长后增速降低,当砾石含量大于15%时,边坡侵蚀率达到峰值后均开始缓慢下降。③工程边坡土壤侵蚀率与径流率、径流剪切力、径流功率、过水断面单位能均呈显著线性函数、对数函数、幂函数关系。[结论]工程边坡土壤中的砾石具有抗侵蚀作用,随着砾石含量的增多,坡面土壤侵蚀量和各水动力学参数均明显降低。     

三峡库区不同坡度石灰土坡耕地磷素流失特征

[目的]研究石灰土坡耕地在不同坡度下的磷素流失规律,以期为三峡库区农业面源污染的防治和水资源保护提供基础数据。[方法]在三峡库区香溪河流域坡耕地修建径流小区进行原位人工降雨试验,在雨强1.5mm/min时,分析10°,15°和20°这3种坡度下坡耕地的径流量、泥沙浓度,以及地表径流中总磷、颗粒态磷,泥沙中总磷、速效磷浓度的变化趋势,并对径流泥沙进行无机磷分级试验。[结果]坡度越大,地表径流量、径流总量、泥沙流失量越大,初始产流时间越短,但坡度对径流中泥沙流失浓度的影响不显著;不同坡度下径流中总磷(TP)、颗粒态磷(PP)浓度都随着产流时间逐渐变小最后趋于平衡,其中径流中TP主要以PP形式流失,达到80%以上;泥沙中磷素流失主要以无机态磷为主,无机磷分级试验表明被植物高效利用的有效态磷和缓效态磷占无机磷总量的54.1%~57.8%。[结论]坡度主要通过影响地表径流总量和径流携带的泥沙总量而影响磷素流失总量,石灰土坡耕地磷素流失主要以径流泥沙携带为主。     

模拟降雨条件下秦岭北麓土壤磷素流失特征

以秦岭北麓竹峪地区为研究区域,采用模拟人工降雨的试验方法,研究了不同坡度(5°,10°)和不同降雨强度(1.1,1.3,1.5mm/min)下该区域田地土壤磷素流失过程规律。结果表明:降雨强度能够影响径流中溶解态磷(DP)的含量,但二者之间并非呈线性关系;相比于幂函数而言,指数函数模型更适合模拟秦岭北麓竹峪地区土壤径流溶解态磷(DP)浓度变化过程(R~20.75);降雨初期,泥沙中(STP)含量相对较高,但随着降雨的延续其浓度会有所下降,并最终保持在一个较稳定的水平上;泥沙全磷(STP)的流失速率随着降雨时间以幂函数的形式逐渐递减,同时发现泥沙全磷(STP)的流失速率与土壤流失速率之间存在着明显的线性关系(R~2=0.92),说明养分流失量累积过程与产沙过程一致,可以利用土壤侵蚀状况来进一步预测养分流失状况。     

坡面氮素流失的坡度和雨强效应模拟研究

为了研究坡面径流和壤中流中全氮(TN)的流失特征,探索坡度和雨强对TN流失的影响,以风化花岗岩母质发育的土壤为研究对象,选定坡度(5°,8°,15°,25°)和降雨强度(60,90,120,150mm/h)作为可变量,采用原状土搬迁的方式,在室内设计的径流槽上进行人工模拟降雨试验,设计试验降雨时长为坡面径流产流后90min,壤中流水样收集延续直至无出流为止。结果表明:(1)坡面径流TN流失浓度在产流初期快速下降,随雨强的减小或坡度的增大而增大,产流后期浓度趋于稳定且差距不大。(2)壤中流TN流失浓度均明显高于坡面径流,其流失过程规律为"上升—下降—略有上升—平稳",总体上随雨强的减小或坡度的增大而增大。(3)坡面径流和壤中流的TN流失量均随雨强或坡度的增大而增大。壤中流是坡面TN流失的主要途径,流失比例可达91.26%~99.61%。坡面径流中TN流失量占坡面TN总流失量的比例随雨强的增大而增大。(4)雨强、流量与坡面径流、壤中流TN总流失量均呈极显著正相关,而坡度只与壤中流TN总流失量呈显著正相关。(5)在雨强90mm/h与120mm/h之间存在一个临界雨强,超过这个临界雨强,坡面径流TN流失量及其占总流失量的比例都会大幅上升。     

极端暴雨下裸地坡面径流及壤中流中碳素输移特征

采用人工模拟降雨的方法,研究了不同雨强(90、120、150mm·h~(-1))和坡度(5°、8°、15°、25°)条件下,南方风化花岗岩母质土壤红土层裸地降雨坡面径流和壤中流中总碳(Total carbon,TC)的流失量及流失过程,并分析了雨强和坡度对TC流失量的影响。结果表明,在坡面径流中,坡度和雨强的增大对碳素质量浓度变化过程影响较小,且流失率曲线与质量浓度曲线呈极显著相关关系,TC流失率变化主要受质量浓度的影响;在壤中流中,TC质量浓度曲线呈现出迅速上升达到最大值后缓慢下降直至平稳的趋势;在试验条件范围内,各坡度条件下,随着雨强的增大,坡面径流中TC流失量增大,而壤中流中TC流失量减小;在大雨强下,坡面径流中TC流失量与坡度没有明显的线性关系,而随着雨强的增大,坡度与壤中流中TC流失量线性关系明显增加;在试验雨强和坡度下,雨强对TC流失总量和坡面径流中TC流失量的影响较坡度更显著,而在壤中流中坡度的影响则更显著。径流中碳素流失量与雨强、坡度及场降雨径流总量之间均有明显的线性关系,R~20.800。结果可为我国南方风化花岗岩母质土壤裸坡径流中TC单位面积流失量的估算提供依据。     

侵蚀性风化花岗岩坡地壤中流携氮磷流失动态模拟

[目的]探究侵蚀环境下,风化花岗岩残积坡地土壤氮磷流失特征以及坡面径流和壤中流携带氮磷流失的强度和贡献率,为不同侵蚀环境及生态环境脆弱条件下,坡地氮磷流失规律的试验研究及防治提供理论依据。[方法]采用原状土搬迁,室内人工模拟降雨的方法,设计2个坡度(8°和25°),5个降雨强度(30,60,90,120,150mm/min),通过坡度与雨强的多重组合试验,在测试浓度与径流量分析的基础上,研究氮磷流失强度及在坡面径流和壤中流中的分配。[结果](1)在强烈侵蚀的坡地,土壤结构性较差,漏水漏肥现象严重,壤中流随携带的氮磷流失比重很大,壤中流携带的TN流失量均占到总流失量的90%以上,TP稍次之;(2)TN随径流的流失量远大于TP的流失量,径流中TN与TP总流失量的比值最高能达到160倍;(3)雨强对氮磷流失量的影响大于坡度的影响,径流量的影响大于浓度的影响。(4)雨强对氮磷流失的影响存在2个转折,在60mm/min附近存在一个蓄满产流和超渗产流的雨强分界,在90mm/min左右,出现一个侵蚀性雨强的转折。[结论]强烈的侵蚀影响土壤养分的流失方式及流失通道的比配,壤中流所携带氮磷流失所占比重很大,进而会影响到地下水的污染问题,加强残积土母质坡地土壤的侵蚀防治,是地表水和地下水面源污染控制及土壤养分流失减少的根本。     

极端暴雨下裸地坡面径流及壤中流中碳素输移特征

采用人工模拟降雨的方法,研究了不同雨强(90、120、150 mm?h^-1)和坡度(5°、8°、15°、25°)条件下,南方风化花岗岩母质土壤红土层裸地降雨坡面径流和壤中流中总碳(Total carbon，TC)的流失量及流失过程,并分析了雨强和坡度对TC流失量的影响。结果表明，在坡面径流中，坡度和雨强的增大对碳素质量浓度变化过程影响较小，且流失率曲线与质量浓度曲线呈极显著相关关系，TC流失率变化主要受质量浓度的影响；在壤中流中，TC质量浓度曲线呈现出迅速上升达到最大值后缓慢下降直至平稳的趋势；在试验条件范围内，各坡度条件下，随着雨强的增大，坡面径流中TC流失量增大，而壤中流中TC流失量减小；在大雨强下，坡面径流中TC流失量与坡度没有明显的线性关系，而随着雨强的增大，坡度与壤中流中TC流失量线性关系明显增加；在试验雨强和坡度下，雨强对TC流失总量和坡面径流中TC流失量的影响较坡度更显著，而在壤中流中坡度的影响则更显著。径流中碳素流失量与雨强、坡度及场降雨径流总量之间均有明显的线性关系, R²＞0.800。结果可为我国南方风化花岗岩母质土壤裸坡径流中TC单位面积流失量的估算提供依据。     

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