岩溶区不同土地利用方式土壤抗蚀性分析

采用土壤微团聚体类、水稳性团聚体类及有机质含量作为指标,通过主成分分析方法,对重庆市中梁山不同土地利用方式表层土壤抗蚀性进行了研究。结果表明：〉0.25mm水稳性团聚体含量及破坏率、〉0.5mm水稳性团聚体含量及破坏率、平均重量直径和有机质含量是评价土壤抗蚀性的最佳4指标;土壤抗蚀性强弱顺序为：灌丛地〉草地〉竹林地〉坡耕地,退耕还林、还草有利于提高土壤抗蚀性;运用微团聚体类指标和水稳性团聚体类及有机质指标分别进行土壤抗蚀性评价时,得到相反的结论;土壤水稳性团聚体类指标评价结果与主成分分析结果一致,这与研究区特殊的成土过程和脆弱的生态环境有关;耕作侵蚀使坡耕地土壤主要性质产生坡面分异,进而产生土壤抗蚀性的坡面分异。坡耕地不同部位土壤抗蚀性强弱为：上部〉下部〉底部〉顶部,这与土壤水稳性团聚体含量坡面分异一致,证明水稳性团聚体类指标可以较好地反映土壤抗蚀性特性。     

祁连山东段高寒植被类型对土壤理化特征的影响

[目的]探讨祁连山东段不同高寒植物的土壤理化特征,为区域水资源合理利用提供理论依据。[方法]对祁连山东段6种灌丛植被和高寒草地的土壤基本性状、土壤持水能力和土壤渗透性进行了相关指标的测定。[结果]①祁连山东段高寒植被的土壤容重随着土层深度的增加而增大,土壤含水量则随着土层深度的增加而降低。②祁连山东段土壤总孔隙度随着土层深度的增加而减小,毛管孔隙和非毛管孔隙无明显的垂直变化规律;③祁连山东段土壤最大持水量随着土层深度的增加而递增,土壤毛管持水量表现为先减少后增加的变化趋势;土壤非毛管持水量变化规律则不太明显。④祁连山东段土壤初渗透率(0.58~2.81 mm/min)高于平均渗透率(0.05~1.26 mm/min)和稳渗透率(0.04~1.31 mm/min),6种高寒植被的土壤初渗透率表现为高寒草地>山生柳>硬叶柳>绣线菊>千里香杜鹃>金露梅>头花杜鹃;平均渗透率表现为绣线菊>金露梅>千里香杜鹃>山生柳>硬叶柳>高寒草地>头花杜鹃;稳渗透率表现为绣线菊>金露梅>千里香杜鹃>山生柳>硬叶柳>头花杜鹃灌丛>高寒草地。[结论]研究区域高寒植物类型的不同会对该区域土壤理化特征产生不同影响,即土壤理化特征与植物之间存在相互联系与相互作用的关系。     

典型岩溶山区植被恢复对土壤团聚体分布及稳定性的影响

[目的]了解岩溶山区植被恢复对土壤团聚体分布及稳定性的影响。[方法]通过野外调查与室内分析,研究了广西壮族自治区平果县果化镇典型岩溶峰丛洼地荒地、草地、灌丛、林灌4种不同植被覆盖下土壤的基本理化性质、团聚体的分布及稳定性特征。[结果](1)土壤中0.25mm的水稳性团聚体含量与土壤的容重显著负相关,与全土有机碳含量极显著正相关;(2)土壤水稳性团聚体以2~1,1~0.5和0.25mm粒级的含量居多。0.25mm粒级的团聚体,在草地、灌丛和林灌中明显高于荒地,在表层土中明显高于下层土;(3)随土层深度的增加,土壤团聚体的破坏率增大;土壤团聚体的破坏率:草地灌丛林灌荒地,草地和灌丛的平均重量直径和几何平均直径明显高于荒地和林灌。[结论]植被的恢复提高了团聚体的稳定性,且草地和灌丛土壤的团聚体稳定性更高,更有利于水土保持,可以作为该区域水土保持的主要植被类型。     

两种巨桉人工林地土壤抗蚀性的比较研究

[目的]揭示巨桉人工林组培苗和实生苗两种起源对土壤抗蚀性的影响。[方法]利用S形采样法在样地内采集多个样点,按上(0—10cm),中(10—20cm),下(20—30cm)三层分别利用环刀和塑料盒采集原状土壤,测定不同层次土壤容重、非毛管孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度、渗透速率、水稳性团聚体含量等。[结果](1)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤容重呈现递增趋势,而总孔隙度和通气孔隙度呈递减趋势。组培巨桉林土壤容重低于实生苗巨桉林地,而土壤总孔隙度、通气孔隙度高于显著实生苗巨桉林地(p0.05);(2)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤水稳性指数、抗蚀指数、团聚状况、团聚度和结构系数呈现下降趋势,水稳性指数和抗蚀指数达到显著水平(p0.05),而分散率和分散系数呈现升高趋势。组培巨桉林地不同土层的抗蚀指数和结构系数均高于实生苗巨桉林地,但分散系数均显著低于实生苗巨桉林地(p0.05);(3)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤各粒径水稳性团聚体含量和平均重量直径(MWD)呈现出下降趋势,土壤结构体破坏率呈现上升趋势。组培苗巨桉林地不同土层各粒径(5mm;5~2mm;0.5~0.25mm;0.5mm;0.25mm)水稳性团聚体含量和MWD均高于实生苗林地,而结构体破坏率、2~1mm和1~0.5mm水稳性团聚体含量均低于实生苗巨桉林地。[结论]组培巨桉人工林的土壤抗蚀性更佳。     

黄土丘陵区不同林龄人工刺槐林土壤抗蚀性演变特征

 采取时空互代法,以黄土丘陵区不同林龄的人工刺槐林为研究对象,选取坡耕地为对照,分析土壤抗蚀性的变化过程,并在此基础上提出土壤抗蚀指数。结果表明,黄土丘陵区坡耕地种植刺槐林后:>0.25 mm土壤水稳性团聚体、>0.5mm土壤水稳性团聚体、平均质量直径、有机碳含量较坡耕地显著增加,并随林龄增加逐渐升高;土壤团聚状况、团聚度显著高于坡耕地并随林龄增加先降低后升高;土壤结构破坏率、分散系数和分散率呈波动式降低;小粒径的微团聚体和机械组成逐步向大粒径转变。相关性分析表明:>0.25mm土壤水稳性团聚体、>0.5mm土壤水稳性团聚体、平均质量直径、有机碳与全氮、碱解氮、速效钾、全磷呈显著正相关(P<0.05),与土壤密度呈显著负相关;结构破坏率、分散系数和分散率则与全氮、碱解氮、全磷呈显著负相关;团聚状况、团聚度与全氮、全磷呈显著正相关。土壤抗蚀指数随人工刺槐林林龄的增加而显著升高,可以全面、客观地反映土壤抗蚀性能的演变过程。侵蚀环境下的坡耕地由于受到人为活动的干扰,土壤抗蚀性较差,种植刺槐林后,土壤抗蚀性显著增强。     

连续种植不同绿肥作物的土壤团聚体稳定性及可蚀性特征

为探讨连续种植绿肥对土壤团聚体的影响,以箭筈豌豆(Vicia sativa L.)、肥田萝卜(Raphanus sativus L.)、蓝花苕子(Vicia cracca L.)、毛叶苕子(Vicia villosa Roth)为研究对象,分析了连续种植不同绿肥作物下的土壤团聚体组成、稳定性及可蚀性特征。结果表明:连续种植绿肥能够提高不同粒径土壤机械稳定性、水稳性团聚体含量,肥田萝卜主要提高2 mm粒径的机械稳定性团聚体含量、5 mm粒径的水稳性团聚体含量,毛叶苕子、蓝花苕子主要提高0.25～2 mm粒径的机械稳定性团聚体含量,蓝花苕子主要提高了0.25～5 mm粒径的水稳性团聚体含量。并且,连续种植绿肥有利于形成土壤水稳性大团聚体(0.25 mm),5 mm粒级的土壤水稳性团聚体的增加对土壤水稳性大团聚体积累的影响较为突出,其中,毛叶苕子的土壤水稳性大团聚体含量最高。另外,连续种植肥田萝卜、毛叶苕子有利于土壤平均重量直径和几何平均直径的提升。同时,连续种植绿肥较清耕显著降低了土壤团聚体破坏率29%～38.17%,土壤团聚体破坏率表现为毛叶苕子肥田萝卜蓝花苕子箭筈豌豆。除此之外,连续种植绿肥对土壤可侵蚀因子(K)产生了一定的影响,肥田萝卜毛叶苕子箭筈豌豆蓝花苕子,虽然土壤可侵蚀因子(K)与绿肥作物品种间的规律不显著,但是其与土壤团聚体的关系很密切,土壤水稳性大团聚体含量越高,土壤平均重量直径、几何平均直径越大,可蚀性K值越低,团聚体破坏率越低,土壤结构的稳定性、抗侵蚀性越好。     

不同植被覆盖对养分在土壤水稳性团聚体中分布特征的影响

研究了重庆缙云山不同植被覆盖下土壤结构的稳定性,以及土壤有机碳和养分在水稳性团聚体中的分布特征.结果表明:不同植被覆盖对土壤水稳性团聚体的分布和土壤结构稳定性有显著影响.竹林土壤>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量以及土壤结构的稳定性显著低于马尾松林和草地土壤.植被覆盖对养分在土壤水稳性团聚体中的分布模式没有显著影响,在>2mm水稳性团聚体和<0.053 mm粒级的粉砂与粘粒组分中,有机碳、全氮、全磷以及交换性K~+、Na~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)的浓度最高;地表植被覆盖的变化对有机碳、全氮、全磷和交换性盐基离子在各粒级水稳性团聚体中的含量产生显著影响,草地和竹林土壤有机碳和全氮显著高于马尾松林土壤,主要表现在0.25-0.053 mm粒级水稳性团聚体中有机碳和全氮含量,草地和竹林土壤显著高于马尾松林土壤;而草地土壤>2 mm水稳性团聚体和<0.053 mm粒级的粉砂与粘粒组分中的磷显著高于马尾松林和草地土壤.不同植被覆盖下土壤水稳性团聚体中交换性盐基离子均以Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)为主,占交换性盐基总量(Total exchangeable bases TEB)的91.8%～92.9%.草地土壤各个粒级的TEB都要大于其他两种植被覆盖下的土壤.     

长期不同施肥处理对设施土壤团聚体组成及其稳定性的影响

通过设施土壤长期定位,试验研究了不同施肥处理对土壤团聚体含量、分布及其稳定性的影响。结果表明,有机肥处理的设施土壤水稳性团聚体的优势粒级均为0.125～0.250mm,而未施用有机肥处理的设施土壤水稳性团聚体的优势粒级均为0.053～0.125mm。设施土壤中>0.25mm粒级水稳性团聚体含量明显低于<0.25mm粒级水稳性团聚体。在>0.125mm的粒级中,有机肥(AN0)及其有机无机肥配施(ANPK)处理土壤水稳性团聚体比重均高于无机肥(BNPK)及其不施用肥料(BN0)处理土壤。长期施用有机肥具有促进水稳性微团聚体向水稳性大团聚体形成的趋势。设施土壤团聚体稳定指数大小依次为:ANPK>AN0>BNPK>BN0。分形维数D、几何平均直径GMD、平均重量直径MWD均适用于该设施土壤水稳性团聚体评价。     

浙江安吉主要植被类型土壤抗蚀性指标筛选及评价模型构建

在野外调查基础上,应用主分量分析方法得到衡量森林土壤抗蚀性的3个最佳指标:>0.25mm水稳性团聚体、>0.5mm水稳性团聚体和土壤水稳性指数,并以此为变量分析比较不同植被类型及不同土层的土壤抗蚀性变化规律。进一步经DIDCRIM过程判别分析,构建了安吉地区主要植被类型土壤抗蚀性强、较强、差3个等级的判别函数,模型平均误判概率仅为0.0704,具有较高的可信度。     

紫色土丘陵区不同土地利用类型土壤抗蚀性特征研究

对紫色土丘陵区4种典型土地利用类型的土壤抗蚀性进行了研究,结果表明:(1)通过主成分分析,＞0.25 mm和＞0.5 mm水稳性团聚体含量、结构体破坏率能较好地衡量紫色土不同土地利用类型的土壤抗蚀性能;(2)＞0.25 mm和＞0.5 mm水稳性团聚体含量均为竹林地＞园地＞传统农耕地＞农林混作型耕地,结构体破坏率则表现为竹林地＜园地＜传统农耕地＜农林混作型耕地;(3)不同土地利用类型水稳性指数差别明显,其中竹林地为0.868,其次是园地、农林混作型耕地,分别为0.704,0.627,传统农耕地为0.469.     

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