黄土丘陵区典型草地演替中植物群落特征与土壤储水量关系

[目的]阐明草地植被演替过程中植被生产力、植物多样性等生态学特征与土壤储水量的关系,为探明黄土高原地区植被恢复的生态环境效应提供一定的科学依据。[方法]采用时空互代的方法对宁夏回族自治区固原市云雾山保护区自然恢复3,8,13,46,66,89a的样地进行取样,分析0—100cm土层土壤储水量的分布及其与地上地下植物生物量、物种多样性的关系。[结果]随着草地演替的进行,植被群落盖度、生物量和物种多样性指数在恢复13a之前显著增加,之后渐趋稳定;土壤含水量逐渐增加,容重逐渐降低。植被群落演替对0—40cm土层土壤储水量没有显著影响,但演替后期对40cm以下土层水分有明显消耗。植被群落生物量及物种多样性指标与表层0—10cm水分呈显著正相关。[结论]草地演替过程中,植被群落生物量和物种多样性的增加与表层土壤储水能力的提升密切相关,但深层根系生物量的增加对下层土壤储水的消耗也逐渐增大。     

休牧对锡林郭勒典型草原土壤养分和植物群落特征的影响

以内蒙古锡林格勒典型草原羊草群落为研究对象,以长期放牧样地为参照(CK),开展了短期休牧对典型群落土壤养分和植物群落特征的影响研究。结果表明:休牧后典型草原物种特征发生明显的变化,与对照相比,休牧后群落高度、盖度、密度、地上生物量、地下生物量和枯落物量均有所增加,并且随月份(8月、9月、10月)的变化呈递减趋势,休牧和对照样地地下生物量均随土层深度的增加而降低。不同物种多度均随着月份的增加而降低,相同月份植物物种数目均表现为休牧对照,与对照相比,禾本科草的种群密度增加。休牧后典型草原丰富度指数、均匀度指数、多样性指数均有所增加。土壤总孔隙度与土壤容重变化趋势相反,不同月份土壤容重表现为休牧对照,土壤总孔隙度则表现为休牧对照。休牧条件下,土壤养分(有机碳、全氮、全钾、速效磷、速效氮、速效钾)基本呈一致的变化规律,对照样地和休牧样地土壤养分均随着月份的增加呈递增趋势,不同月份之间土壤养分含量均表现为休牧对照,其中全磷在休牧和对照之间差异不显著(p0.05)。冗余分析(RDA)的结果显示,沿着RDA的第1排序轴,随着显著性影响因子(土壤养分各指标)的增加,丰富度指数、多样性指数、优势度指数逐渐增加,并且丰富度指数、多样性指数、优势度指数与土壤容重呈负相关,排序轴可反映土壤因子的梯度变化特征,表明利用土壤养分作为表征土壤—植被关系的敏感性土壤指示因子是可行的。综合分析表明:休牧有利于锡林郭勒典型草原植被的恢复,本研究为锡林郭勒典型草原的合理管理利用及其可持续利用提供科学依据。     

贺兰山西坡不同海拔梯度土壤活性有机碳分布特征及影响因子

研究了贺兰山不同海拔梯度土壤活性有机碳(SAOC)的垂直分布特征及其与气候因子、植被特征和土壤特性的关系。结果表明:SAOC随海拔增加而增加,垂直方向随土层深度的增加呈"T"形分布特征,各海拔间差异均显著(P0.05)。相关性分析表明:不同海拔梯度SAOC与土壤有机碳(SOC)、含水量、全氮、植被盖度和多样性指数呈极显著线性正相关(P0.01),与pH、土壤温度和土壤容重呈极显著线性负相关(P0.01),与年降雨量、年均气温、地上和地下生物量无线性相关性(P0.05);SAOC占总有机碳的比例变化范围在7.9%~12.0%之间,以高寒草甸(AM)所占比例最高,草原化荒漠(DS)最低。偏相关分析显示,影响0-20cm土层SAOC最主要的因子是有机碳、多样性指数、植被盖度和年降水量,影响20-40cm土层SAOC的最主要因子是年降雨量和地下生物量,影响40-60cm土层SAOC最主要的因子是植被盖度和地下生物量,影响60-80cm土层SAOC最主要的因子是pH、含水量和地下生物量。综合分析比较可知,有机碳、多样性指数、植被盖度、年降水量、地下生物量、pH和含水量可能是影响SAOC垂直分异的关键因子,而土壤有机碳、全氮、含水量、植被盖度、pH、土壤容重和温度可能是影响SAOC沿海拔梯度分异的关键因子。     

城郊4种人工林林下植被物种多样性、生物量与土壤养分相关性

采用样方调查及取样分析方法,研究了长沙市城郊4种人工林林下植被物种多样性、生物量及其土壤理化性质,并探讨了它们之间的相关性。结果表明:4种人工林灌木层植物丰富度、多样性指数均高于草本层,但均匀度指数却低于草本层;林下植被生物量总体表现为针叶林高于阔叶林;土壤养分含量垂直分布表现为随土壤深度增加而下降规律明显;土壤全N、全K、速效K含量与林下植物物种多样性指标呈显著相关性(p0.05),林地土壤含水率、速效P、速效K含量对各项多样性指标影响较为明显;灌木层生物量与pH值、枯落物生物量与全N的相关性较大,草本层生物量与有机质呈显著的负相关(p0.05),总生物量与全N相关性显著(p0.05)。     

放牧对荒漠草原土壤养分及微生物量的影响

[目的]探讨不同放牧强度对荒漠草原植被多样性、土壤理化性状、土壤养分及土壤微生物量的影响。[方法]以围封禁牧草地为对照,采用野外调查和室内分析的方法,对不同放牧强度下的草地土壤及植被展开调查。[结果]随放牧强度的增加,荒漠草原植被盖度、物种多样性、地上生物量、土壤养分和微生物量显著降低,土壤容重和pH值呈增加趋势,土壤电导率呈先增加后降低趋势,地下生物量则没有明显变化趋势;在植被作用下土壤养分和微生物量垂直方向表现递减规律并且在表层富集,"表聚性"较为明显;在放牧干扰下土壤全磷变异系数最高;放牧并没有改变荒漠草原土壤养分和微生物量的垂直分布特征;相关分析表明,放牧干扰下土壤微生物量与土壤养分之间具有较强的相关性,二者与土壤含水量也有较强的相关性。[结论]放牧强度对土壤全磷的空间变异影响较大,并且土壤微生物量对于放牧干扰的敏感性高于土壤养分全量;土壤养分和微生物量等地下生态系统各指标之间具有统一性。     

党河流域骆驼刺群落特征与土壤因子的相关性

[目的]分析党河流域骆驼刺群落特征与土壤因子相关性,为有效管理该流域天然骆驼刺群落及退化骆驼刺群落的恢复提供科学依据。[方法]利用"样方"法,于2012年6—10月调查群落特征及土壤样品数据,进行回归分析。[结果]在6—10月,生物量表现出显著的季节变化,Simpson优势度指数和Pielou均匀度指数季节变化趋势几乎一致,Shannon—Wiener多样性指数变化趋势相反。在0—50cm土壤层内,随土壤深度的增加,土壤电导率、土壤pH值呈现出先增加再减小的变化过程,土壤容重表现出逐渐增大的趋势,土壤含水量在土壤深度达到30cm以后增加不明显。[结论]土壤环境因子是影响骆驼刺群落特征、生物多样性和生物量的主要因素。较高的土壤含水量可以增加骆驼刺群落的生物多样性,较高的土壤容重抑制骆驼刺群落根系的生长。     

围栏封育对沙化草地植被及土壤特性的影响

对宁夏自治区盐池县不同围封类型的沙化草地植被以及土壤有关特性进行了分析研究。结果表明:(1)围栏封育使植物组成发生了明显变化。(2)适度的围封年限(<8 a)可以使群落盖度、平均密度、地上生物量以及物种多样性明显提高,过长的围封年限(>19 a)反而使各植被数量特征以及物种多样性呈现下降趋势。(3)围栏封育可以降低土壤容重,增加土壤孔隙度,提高土壤含水量。表明适度的围封年限既有利于植被的恢复,又有利于土壤特性的改良。但过长时间的围栏封育会导致植被结构和功能的退化以及草地生产力下降。     

金尾矿废弃地不同植被恢复阶段物种多样性与土壤特性的演变

为探寻矿山废弃地植被恢复过程中植被和土壤的演替规律及物种多样性与土壤因子间的关系,以福建紫金山金尾矿废弃地为研究对象,采用空间代替时间序列的方法,对不同植被恢复阶段植物群落的物种多样性和土壤理化性质进行调查研究,并与未被破坏的自然植物群落和植被恢复前的裸尾矿进行比较分析。结果表明:(1)植被恢复能有效提高群落物种多样性,且随群落演替的进行呈上升趋势,不同植被恢复阶段的群落乔木层物种多样性明显低于灌木层和草本层,物种α多样性指数呈现相似的变化趋势;(2)植被恢复能有效改善土壤理化性质,不同植被恢复阶段的土壤容重和pH值随着恢复年限的增加而降低,土壤持水量和孔隙度逐渐提升,最大持水量和总孔隙度在恢复到11a时达到最大,相对于裸尾矿分别提高了112.91%和95.31%,有机质含量显著提高,是裸尾矿的1.99~23.30倍,养分含量逐渐增大,其中全磷和速效磷含量呈现先增加后降低的变化趋势;(3)相关性分析结果表明:植被恢复过程中物种多样性与土壤理化因子间具有明显的相关性,物种多样性与土壤养分含量呈现相似的变化趋势,植被的恢复不断改善着土壤理化性质,土壤肥力不断提高,而土壤理化性质的改善又促进了植物群落的发育和恢复发展。     

封育和放牧对典型草原地上植被的影响

封育和放牧是草地生态系统重要的干扰因子。以黄土高原典型草原封育5年草地和放牧地为研究对象,采用野外调查方法,地上植被物种组成、生物量、盖度、密度、地上茎分枝数和物种多样性等,以期揭示封育和放牧干扰对地上植被的影响。结果表明:封育和放牧对地上植被群落结构有显著影响。与放牧地相比,封育措施显著增加了典型草原的地上生物量和总盖度,但显著降低了地上植被密度和地上茎分枝数。封育措施显著提高草地禾草生物量,显著降低非禾草生物量。封育措施降低了禾草和非禾草地上茎分枝数,但非禾草地上茎分枝数下降不显著。封育显著降低了地上植被的物种丰富度、Margalef指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数,但对Simpson指数和Pielou指数影响不显著。     

人为干扰对桂西北喀斯特山地植被多样性及土壤养分分布的影响

为促进桂西北喀斯特山地草地生态系统的恢复与重建,在连续3年全面调查的基础上,采用Pearson相关系数法和主成分法研究了人为干扰对喀斯特山地草地植被多样性和土壤养分的影响。结果表明:人为干扰对喀斯特山地草地植被多样性具有明显的影响,其中人为干扰显著降低了植被盖度、地上生物量、丰富度指数和多样性指数(p0.05),对喀斯特山地草地植被均匀度指数和优势度指数没有显著影响(p0.05),说明人为干扰并没有改变物种在生境中的均匀分布和物种发生根本性变化。人为干扰显著增加了土壤容重和pH值(p0.05),降低了土壤含水量和土壤电导率,但4种营养元素(碳、氮、磷、钾)的变化幅度不尽一致,具体表现为人为干扰降低了土壤碳、氮和钾含量,但对土壤磷素并没有显著的影响(p0.05),从降低幅度来看,土壤有效养分降低幅度高于土壤全量养分,由此表明土壤有效养分较土壤全量养分更为敏感。Pearson相关性分析表明,对于人为干扰区和对照区,影响其植被多样性的土壤环境因子不尽一致,其中土壤养分和有效养分在一定程度上起着主导性的影响作用,通过人为干扰区和对照区的相关性系数可知,人为干扰区域和对照区域土壤养分之间均呈极显著正相关,说明土壤系统内部因子处于动态变化和平衡中,在人为干扰下,它们作为相互作用和影响的有机整体表现出统一性和同步性,并没有改变土壤养分因子之间的互作效应,并且土壤全量养分均与其对应的有效养分呈极显著正相关(p0.01),说明其有效养分主要依靠于土壤全量养分。冗余分析的结果显示,对于人为干扰区和对照区,植被与土壤的排序基本没有变化,而人为干扰对土壤养分含量产生了一定的影响,造成二者的RDA排序图不相一致,排序轴可反映喀斯特地区土壤因子的梯度变化特征,表明利用土壤养分作为表征喀斯特山地草地土壤—植被关系的敏感性土壤指示因子是可行的。     

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