坡度对农业耕作措施水土保持作用的影响

农业耕作措施是水土保持三大措施之一,在坡耕地水土保持中起关键作用。利用人工模拟降雨试验方法,对不同坡度条件下农业耕作措施水土保持作用进行了研究。农业耕作措施包括等高耕作、人工掏挖和人工锄耕,以平整坡面为对照措施;降雨试验在长4m,宽1m的径流小区完成;坡度为5°,10°,15°,20°,25°;降雨强度为1,1.5,2mm/min。结果表明:与平整坡面相比,等高耕作、人工掏挖和人工锄耕分别减小产流量38.19%,32.25%和15.84%;减小产沙量均在50%以上,说明农业耕作措施具有明显的水土保持作用。通过对坡度与产流量、产沙量关系分析表明,在耕作坡面,坡度会影响产流量,但是大坡度与小坡度之间差异不显著。相反,坡度对产沙量具有显著影响,在小坡度条件下,产沙量受坡度的影响较小。当坡度大于15°后,坡度每增加1°,等高耕作、人工掏挖和人工锄耕耕作措施保土作用平均降低3.08%,4.74%和7.61%。回归分析表明产沙量与坡度之间存在指数函数关系。可见,坡度对农业耕作措施保水作用和保土作用的影响不同。     

水蚀过程中裸露陡坡耕地土壤侵蚀特征

在坡耕地上,农业耕作措施改变了地表微地形,对坡地土壤侵蚀过程产生影响。深入了解耕作措施对坡地土壤侵蚀的影响,以便为开展陡坡耕地退耕还林(草)工程的水土保持效益评价提供科学依据。以30°陡坡耕地为研究对象,采用室内人工模拟降雨试验方法,对采用人工锄耕、人工掏挖和等高耕作的裸坡地土壤侵蚀特征进行研究。用相同坡度平整坡地作为对照措施。降雨强度为60,90,120mm/h,降雨历时80min。结果表明:(1)在陡坡耕地上,在雨强为60,90mm/h时,3种耕作措施都具有延缓坡地产流的作用,但在雨强为120mm/h时,人工锄耕和人工掏挖坡地产流开始时间与平整坡地无显著差异(P0.05);(2)对采用等高耕作的陡坡地,在3个降雨强度下,累计产流量均低于平整坡地,但采用人工锄耕和人工掏挖的陡坡地与平整坡地相比并无明显规律;(3)在降雨强度为120mm/h时,耕作陡坡地地表径流含沙量较高,土壤侵蚀量是平整坡地的2~5倍。因此,在裸露陡坡耕地上,当降雨强度偏大时,采用农业耕作措施不仅不能降低土壤侵蚀发生,反而会增加。     

黄土坡耕地耕作方式不同时微地形分布特征及水土保持效应

 利用GIS技术模拟黄土坡耕地微地形空间分布特征,并对其水土保持效应进行研究。结果表明：1)地表微地形起伏大小依次为等髙耕作 > 人工掏挖 >人工锄耕 > 直线坡面（CK),和CK相比,人工锄耕与人工掏挖微地形呈随机相间的坑洼特征,等高耕作呈沟垄相间的空间特征;雨后CK、人工锄耕、人工掏挖与等商耕作方式下地表髙程平均分别降低0.015、0.014、0.018和0.015 m。2)除CK地表填洼量为增大外,其余方式均为减小;地表产流时间依次为直线坡面 < 人工掏挖< 人工锄耕< 等髙耕作。3)产流量随降雨时间呈先增大,后趋于平稳的过程。4)与CK相比,等高耕作、人工锄耕和人工掏挖产流量分别减小38. 17%、17.88%和9.43%。5)产沙最随降雨时间呈先增大,后减小并逐渐趋于稳定的过程,与CK相比,等高耕作、人工锄耕和人工掏挖产沙量分别减小65.6%、36.3%和23.4%。6)坡度对产流产沙的影响主要是坡度越大,产流时间越早,产流产沙量也越大。因此,不同耕作方式的水土保持效应与其形成的地表微地形空间特征密切相关。     

降雨条件下地表糙度对片蚀的影响及其变化

为了进一步明确地表糙度在片蚀过程中的效应,该文通过室内人工模拟降雨的方法,就场降雨和连续降雨条件下,地表糙度对片蚀的影响及其变化进行了研究。结果表明,场降雨条件下,实施人为管理措施坡面的径流与产沙量均低于对照坡面;在雨强0.67 mm/min条件下,随地表糙度的增加,径流量与侵蚀量呈先减小、后趋于稳定的变化趋势;而在雨强1.63 mm/min条件下,随地表糙度的增加,径流量与产沙量却呈一直减小的变化趋势。在雨强0.67 mm/min条件下,耙耱地、人工掏挖和等高耕作坡面的地表糙度均呈减小的变化趋势,而人工锄耕坡面的地表糙度呈增加的变化趋势;在雨强1.63 mm/min条件下,人工掏挖和等高耕作坡面的地表糙度呈减小的变化趋势,人工锄耕、耙耱地坡面的地表糙度却呈增加的变化趋势;对照坡面地表糙度的变化,与耙耱地相反。连续降雨条件下,在前二次降雨作用下,坡面的径流量与产沙量随地表糙度的增加而逐渐减小,且均低于对照坡面;在第三次降雨条件下,径流与侵蚀产沙量变化较为复杂,且实施人为管理措施坡面均高于对照坡面。不同降雨条件下,实施人为管理措施坡面地表糙度对片蚀具有一定的抑制效应,且坡面片蚀的发展与地表糙度间的变化表现出相应的互动作用。该文研究结果为揭示地表糙度的侵蚀特征提供了一定的理论依据,同时也为黄土高原坡耕地的水土流失治理奠定理论基础。     

地表糙度与径流水力学参数响应规律模拟

为了明确地表糙度与坡面径流特征及其水力学参数之间的相互作用,通过模拟人工锄耕、人工掏挖、等高耕作和对照组直型坡等4种不同糙度的地表,在室内模拟降雨条件下,对不同糙度坡面上的径流特征和水力学参数(雷诺数、弗劳德数、阻力系数和水流剪切力)以及降雨前后地表糙度的变化进行了测量与计算。结果表明,雨前雨后各措施坡面的地表糙度为:等高耕作人工掏挖人工锄耕直型坡。相同雨强和降雨历时下,不同糙度坡面其径流特征差异显著。初始地表糙度越大的坡面,径流越容易稳定在层流状态;反之,径流越倾向于往紊流发展。对人工锄耕、人工掏挖、等高耕作3种耕作措施来说,在相同雨强和降雨历时下,初始糙度越大的坡面,其断面流量、径流量和产沙量越小。坡面初始地表糙度越大,径流阻力系数也越大,但坡面径流的雷诺数、弗劳德数和径流剪切力则越小,径流对地表糙度具有减小作用,雷诺数和水流剪切力越大,径流对地表糙度的减小作用越弱。研究结果为深入理解坡面地表糙度与其水文特征之间的相互作用提供参考。     

基于重标极差（R/S）和小波分析的黄土坡耕地产流产沙变化研究

为探明降雨条件下黄土坡耕地微地形径流和泥沙变化规律,通过5°、10°、15°、20°、25°坡和直线坡、人工锄耕、人工掏挖、等高耕作4种耕作方式组合条件下的室内模拟降雨试验,应用基于分形理论的重标极差(R/S)分析法对径流和泥沙时间序列的变化趋势进行预测,同时使用小波(Morlet)分析对各径流和产沙序列的变化主周期进行识别.结果表明:径流序列的赫斯特指数变化区间为[0.567,0.798],产沙量时间序列的赫斯特指数变化区间为[0.632,0.861],两者均大于0.5,呈现长程正相关.因此,坡耕地下一时段的径流量和产沙量时间序列与过去时段变化趋势相同;4种耕作措施的径流量最大峰值均出现在28~29 min,部分耕作措施的产沙量序列可能存在30 min以上的长周期,需要更长的时间序列验证.用R/S分析法结合小波分析,预测未来的产流产沙趋势,结果具有可靠性.该研究丰富了径流和泥沙输移理论,对农业生产和水土保持等方面研究具有指导意义.     

基于重标极差(R/S)和小波分析的黄土坡耕地产流产沙特征研究

为探明降雨条件下黄土坡耕地微地形径流和泥沙变化规律,通过5°、10°、15°、20°、25°坡和直线坡、人工锄耕、人工掏挖、等高耕作4种耕作方式组合条件下的室内模拟降雨试验,应用基于分形理论的重标极差(R/S)分析法对径流和泥沙时间序列的变化趋势进行预测,同时使用小波(Morlet)分析对各径流和产沙序列的变化主周期进行识别。结果表明:径流序列的赫斯特指数变化区间为[0.567,0.798],产沙量时间序列的赫斯特指数变化区间为[0.632,0.861],两者均大于0.5,呈现长程正相关。因此,坡耕地下一时段的径流量和产沙量时间序列与过去时段变化趋势相同;4种耕作措施的径流量最大峰值均出现在28~29 min,部分耕作措施的产沙量序列可能存在30 min以上的长周期,需要更长的时间序列验证。用R/S分析法结合小波分析,预测未来的产流产沙趋势,结果具有可靠性。该研究丰富了径流和泥沙输移理论,对农业生产和水土保持等方面研究具有指导意义。     

模拟降雨条件下第四纪红黏土坡面侵蚀过程

通过室内模拟降雨试验,分析雨强和坡度对第四纪红黏土坡面侵蚀过程的影响,揭示南方红壤低山丘陵区第四纪红黏土坡面侵蚀机理。根据研究区地形和降雨特点,设计坡度10°,15°,20°,雨强1.0,1.5,2.0mm/min,研究两者对坡面侵蚀过程的影响。结果表明:(1)坡面初始产流时间随着坡度和雨强的增大而逐渐减小;同一雨强下,径流系数大小为20°15°10°。(2)不同试验处理条件下,坡度由10°增加到20°,坡面累积产沙量增加0.46~1.98倍;降雨强度由1.0mm/min增加到2.0mm/min,坡面累积产沙量增加1.37~3.85倍。(3)1.0,1.5mm/min雨强条件下,坡面侵蚀泥沙以0.25mm水稳性团聚体占优,2.0mm/min雨强条件下,坡面侵蚀泥沙0.25mm水稳性团聚体为主。(4)坡度与雨强对坡面径流系数、侵蚀率和累积产沙量影响极显著(P0.01),坡面累积径流量和累积产沙量构成幂函数模型。研究结果为揭示坡度与雨强对第四纪红黏土坡面侵蚀过程的作用机理提供参考。     

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。     

不同雨强和坡度下侵蚀性风化花岗岩母质坡地产流产沙特征

为研究解决南方侵蚀性风化花岗岩地区的水土流失问题,该文采用室内人工模拟降雨方法研究了不同降雨强度(30,60,90,120,150 mm/h)和不同坡度(5°,8°,15°,25°)条件下的风化花岗岩残积坡地的土壤侵蚀过程。结果表明:1)坡面径流的初始产流产沙时间都随着坡度和雨强的增大而提前;2)坡面径流量与坡度之间不呈简单的正相关关系,径流系数随雨强的变化呈现指数相关关系,入渗率在雨强为30~120 mm/h之间在坡度8°左右出现极大值;3)侵蚀产沙量随坡度和雨强的增大而增大,其与坡度之间的关系可以用幂函数表示,决定系数均达到0.815,与雨强之间为指数函数关系,决定系数均达到0.889以上;4)水力侵蚀对泥沙具有分选性,径流侵蚀挟带泥沙中的粉粒、黏粒以及细砂粒含量较多;5)坡度和雨强对于侵蚀产沙量的综合影响可以用线性相关方程来比较准确地描述,对产沙量的影响权重排序为:含沙量雨强径流系数坡度。     

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