2001—2018年雅砻江流域植被NDVI时空动态及其对气候变化的响应

为了了解雅砻江流域植被覆盖变化及其对气候的响应,基于MOD13Q1和气象数据,采用趋势分析和偏相关分析等方法,分析了2001—2018年雅砻江流域生长季NDVI的时空变化特征,探讨了NDVI变化对气候因子的响应。结果表明:(1)2001—2018年雅砻江流域NDVI均值为0.66,呈东南向西北逐渐下降趋势,并随海拔的升高呈先增后减趋势;(2)2001—2018年雅砻江流域NDVI整体以0.003/10 a的速率波动上升,NDVI增加面积(63.97%)大于减少面积(36.03%); 2001—2018年雅砻江流域生长季的气温上升趋势显著,降水上升趋势不明显,流域上、中游气候向暖湿方向发展;(3)整体上NDVI受气温影响大于降水,与气温呈正相关关系,与降水呈负相关关系; 空间差异明显,上游受气温和降水共同影响,中、下游大部分地区受降水影响。整体而言,雅砻江流域被的生长受地形、气候和人类活动等因素影响,近18年植被NDVI改善面积持续增加。     

京津冀地区植被NDVI动态变化及其与气候因子的关系

[目的] 探究气候变化对植被覆盖变化的驱动机制，可为揭示区域乃至全球植被覆盖动态变化及其与气候变化之间的响应机制提供依据。[方法] 以MODIS NDVI，SRTM DEM，降水和气温为数据源，运用Theil-Sen Median趋势分析法、Mann-Kendall显著性检验法、R/S分析法和Pearson相关分析法等数学分析方法，结合ANUSPLIN气象插值模型，研究2001—2019年京津冀地区植被NDVI时空演变特征及预测未来变化趋势，并探究植被NDVI与降水和气温最大相关关系及时滞效应。[结果] ①2001—2019年京津冀地区植被NDVI整体呈波动上升趋势，上升速率为0.002 2/a，且未来植被NDVI呈改善趋势的面积略小于呈退化趋势的面积；②降水和气温对京津冀地区植被生长以正向促进作用为主，且降水对植被生长的作用强度高于气温；③植被NDVI对降水变化的滞后期略长于气温，京津冀地区植被生长受前3月的降水和前1月的气温影响最大。[结论] 在林业生态工程实施背景下，2001—2019年京津冀地区植被覆盖整体呈改善态势，尤以西北部为著；植被NDVI与降水和气温相关关系呈现出明显的地域差异，且植被生长相对降水和气温变化存在一定的滞后效应。     

2000-2018年黄河流域NDVI时空变化及其对气候和人类活动的双重响应

[目的] 分析黄河流域NDVI时空变化特征,探究NDVI变化对气候和人类活动的响应机制,为制定合理的生态工程提供科学依据,为实现黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展提供保障。[方法] 基于MODIS NDVI数据,辅以降水和气温数据,采用一元线性趋势分析、Hurst指数、偏相关分析及残差分析方法,对2000—2018年黄河流域NDVI时空变化特征进行分析,并探讨了NDVI变化对气候和人类活动的双重响应。[结果] ①黄河流域NDVI呈现波动增加趋势,总增速为6.8%/10 a,NDVI在东南部及西部较高,北部及西北部较低,由东南向西北部减少,下游最高,中游次之,上游最低;整体上,以东亚季风生态地理区和西北干旱生态地理区界线（鄂尔多斯市—毛乌素沙地—庆阳市—平凉市—定西市）和青藏高原生态地理区和西北干旱生态地理区及东亚季风生态地理区界线（西宁市—甘南市—定西市）为界呈Ⅴ字型分布。②NDVI整体变化趋势以改善为主,反持续性强于持续性,且表现出较强的弱持续性,其中改善区约占62.32%,主要呈带状集中分布。在中上游地区,在鄂尔多斯市—毛乌素沙地—庆阳市—平凉市—定西市—西宁市—甘南市、太原盆地—临汾盆地—关中平原及运城盆地—三门峡两两界线间的条带区域基本为改善区,而退化区域以中下游为主,呈零散分布。③NDVI与降水和气温呈正相关,且与降水的偏相关强度稍大于气温,流域约76.7%的地区NDVI残差呈增长的趋势,人类活动整体对NDVI增加的影响以促进为主,促进作用大小顺序为：中游>上游>下游。[结论] 黄河流域NDVI变化受气候和人类活动共同影响,具有空间异质性,适度的生态工程及农业生产活动对植被恢复有重要作用。     

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。     

基于AVHRR和MODIS数据源的山东省植被覆盖时空变化及其对极端气候的响应

[目的]研究山东省的植被覆盖变化和极端气候的关系,以期为区域植被生态维护提供科学借鉴。[方法]基于AVHRR-GIMMS NDVI对MODIS NDVI插补获取的1982—2021年长时间序列NDVI数据集,分析山东省NDVI的时空变化,并结合该省96个气象站的逐日数据,研究NDVI对极端气候的响应。[结果](1)山东省及各分区NDVI总体呈强持续性的显著上升趋势,该省平均增速为0.013/10 a(p<0.001);空间上NDVI大体呈西高东低,南高北低分布;空间趋势上植被覆盖以强持续性显著改善和基本不变为主。(2)整体上NDVI与年和月的极端气温暖指数、极端降水指数以显著正相关为主,与冷指数以显著负相关为主,与GSL,DTR相关性不显著;空间上鲁西平原区主要受极端气温的影响,其他分区对极端气温和极端降水均响应明显。(3)NDVI对极端气候的响应具有明显的滞后性,且对极端气温的滞后性比对极端降水的滞后性强。[结论]山东省植被覆盖总体向持续改善的方向发展;NDVI对极端气候响应明显,极端高温和极端降水对植被生长总体起促进作用,而极端低温以抑制作用为主;植被覆盖变化对极端气候响应存...     

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。     

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。     

鄂尔多斯植被的NDVI 3g动态及气候响应

[目的]研究鄂尔多斯地区生态格局以及在全球变化下的自然演变规律,揭示中国西部矿区人工扰动生态环境的时空变化。[方法]利用1982—2012年GIMMS NDVI 3g数据集和年均气温、降水量等气象数据,分别进行最大值合成、反距离加权法插值、线性回归与变化率分析、相关性分析等处理,揭示植被覆盖的时空变化趋势下蕴含的植物生理学机理,及其对气温和降水变化趋势的响应特征。[结果]鄂尔多斯地区植被返青期(start of season,SOS)始于4月下旬,枯黄期(end of season,EOS)结束于11月上旬,植被生长期(duration of season,DOS)NDVI初始阈值为0.12,平均生长期为198d;31a间鄂尔多斯地区植被绿度变化率(slope)为0.0023,植被变化趋势逐像元回归分析表明研究区80.8%的植被有轻微改善;31a间鄂尔多斯地区NDVI变化与年均气温和降水量的相关性分别为0.054和0.400。[结论]31a间鄂尔多斯地区植被返青期有提前趋势,枯黄期有滞后趋势,生长期有延长趋势;研究区大部分区域植被均有轻微改善;年均气温与降水量均呈现升高趋势,NDVI变化受温度和降水的共同作用,且NDVI最大值增高与年均降水量增加相关性较高,与年均气温升高相关性较低。     

山西黄河流域不同土地利用类型NDVI时空变化及其对气温、降水的响应

[目的]了解山西黄河流域不同土地利用类型NDVI时空变化及其对气温、降水的响应关系,对该流域生态保护、修复和高质量发展具有重要的意义。[方法]基于1998—2018年NDVI数据,利用NDVI变化趋势、变异系数、空间自相关等方法,对山西黄河流域不同土地利用类型NDVI时空变化特征及其与气温、降水的关系进行分析。[结果]不同土地利用类型NDVI变化趋势均呈向好态势,草地和林地覆盖状况优于整体水平。NDVI在空间上整体呈南北纵列、高低相间的分布格局,吕梁山和太岳山—中条山高,西部高原丘陵区和汾河谷地低。NDVI变化趋势的空间异质性显著,植被以显著改善为主。林地改善趋势的稳定性最好。NDVI表现出明显的空间集聚性特征,其中耕地NDVI变化趋势聚集特征最明显。不同土地利用类型NDVI对降水的敏感性强于气温。[结论]山西黄河流域不同土地利用类型NDVI时空变化差异显著,并对气温和降水存在响应关系,此研究将为该流域生态保护和建设提供更精准的植被恢复数据及其和气温、降水关系的基础资料。     

2000-2021年新疆植被覆盖度变化及驱动力

[目的]探讨2000—2021年新疆植被覆盖变化及其驱动力的分析，为新疆地区环境监测提供理论依据。[方法]借助GEE平台获取由NASA提供的NDVI数据，利用趋势分析、Hurst指数法对新疆地区2000—2021年植被覆盖变化进行动态分析，结合气象等数据，采用Mann-Kendall、偏相关分析法等对植被覆盖变化与气候、地表因素的响应进行分析。[结果](1) 2000—2021年新疆地区NDVI年际变化总体以0.001 4/a的速率波动式增长；年内变化总体呈倒U型，草甸植被的NDVI月均值波动最大。(2) 2000—2021年新疆地区NDVI年均值77.9%在0～0.3波动，在空间分布表现为北部和西北部高，南部和东南部低。(3) 2000—2021年新疆地区总体slope值在-0.036～0.052波动，主要变化趋势为基本不变和轻微改善，结合Hurst指数，新疆植被主要未来趋势变化为改善到退化。(4) 22年间新疆地区的气温总体呈上升趋势，降水、土壤湿度和径流总体呈下降趋势。NDVI年均值与气温、降水、土壤湿度和径流呈显著负相关性的像元数占比均大于正相关性的像元数占比，且存在明显的空间...     

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