1990-2018年东江流域土地利用变化及其驱动力

[目的] 分析东江流域1990-2018年土地利用时空变化特征及驱动机制，为该流域土地利用优化提供科学参考。[方法] 利用流域土地利用数据及统计年鉴数据，结合土地利用评价指标、主成分分析法及灰色关联分析法分析流域土地利用变化特征及其驱动机制。[结果] ①东江流域1990-2018年土地利用以耕地和林地为主，流域建设用地面积持续增加，其余地类面积均呈减少趋势，耕地和林地是建设用地面积的主要来源；②流域土地利用综合指数逐年增加，变化率为0.038，土地利用处于上升发展阶段；③流域土地利用变化驱动力主要为经济增长、人口增长、社会富裕程度和农业发展；各类驱动因子对各土地利用类型的驱动作用不同。[结论] 1990-2018年，东江流域土地利用结构不断优化，土地利用集聚程度增加，随着粤港澳大湾区的建设开发，未来流域内土地开发利用活动将更加频繁。     

宁夏沿黄生态经济带耕地的时空演变及驱动力

[目的] 研究耕地空间分布格局与演变的驱动机制,为严守耕地保护红线及宁夏沿黄生态经济带制定耕地资源保护政策与措施,优化耕地保护格局提供参考。[方法] 利用土地变更调查数据和社会经济数据,采用核密度、空间自相关、土地利用动态度、转移矩阵、二元Logistic回归模型等方法,分析2010—2018年宁夏沿黄生态经济带耕地的空间分布、时空演变及其驱动机制。[结果] ①研究区耕地的空间分布呈现出明显的差异性,整体以中、低密度区分布为主,且由低、高密度区向中密度区演变;②耕地空间分布呈正相性,高—高聚类区域主要集中在银川平原,低—低聚类区域分布在灵武市东部、沙坡头区中西部等生态相对脆弱区;③研究区耕地的双向流转是以未利用地—耕地—建设用地为主的生态转换系统,耕地数量稳中有增;④耕地动态度变化有明显的空间聚类现象,且与距离城市的距离成正比,与城市规模成反比;⑤自然条件因子是耕地增加的主要驱动因素,社会经济因子是耕地减少主要驱动因素。[结论] 宁夏沿黄经济带耕地保护基本实现动态平衡。耕地变化是以一定的自然条件因子为基础,受经济、人口等社会经济因子综合作用下的效益择优过程。     

生态脆弱区土地利用变化及驱动力——以河北省张北县为例

[目的]研究河北省张北县的土地利用变化及其驱动因素,为该区域土地管理决策和土地资源可持续利用供科学依据。[方法]以1989,1995,2000,2010年TM遥感影像为数据源,运用遥感、地理信息系统、数理统计分析等技术与方法,系统分析了张北县土地利用变化的时空特征,剖析了土地利用变化的驱动因素。[结果]张北县主要地类为耕地、林地和草地,1989—2010年土地利用数量变化主要表现为耕地和草地面积的减少,林地和建设用地面积的增加,其中2000—2010年土地利用变化更为剧烈;地类转换主要表现为耕地、草地向林地转变以及耕地、草地向建设用地的转变;空间变化主要表现为东部坝头地区林地增加明显,中部平原地区建设用地扩张明显。[结论]近20年来张北县土地利用变化明显,主要受自然及社会经济因素综合影响。此外政策因素也是该区域土地利用变化的主要驱动因素。     

基于耦合FLUS-InVEST模型的广州市生态系统碳储量时空演变与预测

[目的] 探讨城市建设用地扩张下土地利用变化对碳储量的影响,揭示碳储量时空演变和未来空间分布趋势,为城市规划和生态脆弱区实施精准保护提供科学参考。[方法] 本文通过耦合FLUS-InVEST模型,基于解译的土地利用数据和未来土地预测,反演1990—2018年广州市土地和碳储量时空变化特征,分析建设用地扩张与碳储量分布规律,并评估未来碳储量潜力。[结果] 广州市土地类型变化特征表现为建设用地的迅速扩张,主要侵占耕地和林地;1990—2018年碳储量减少2.47×10⁶ t,其中2000—2005年降幅最大;高密度碳储量主要分布在北部森林一带,低密度碳储量主要分布在珠江下游;建设用地和低密度碳储量的重心迁移具有高度的一致性;预测2018—2034年碳储量下降1.20×10⁶ t。[结论] 广州市建设用地扩张对碳储量影响显著,未来西北和东部部分区域碳储量流失风险较大。     

滇桂黔石漠化片区生态系统碳储量时空演变及其驱动因子

[目的]探究特殊生态脆弱区——滇桂黔石漠化片区的生态系统碳储量时空演变规律及其驱动因子，为科学评估其生态治理效果、优化土地利用格局、提高生态系统碳储量、提升生态系统碳汇能力等提供理论参考。[方法]综合运用土地利用转移矩阵、InVEST模型和地理探测器等方法，分析滇桂黔石漠化片区1990—2018年土地利用变化特征、生态系统碳储量时空演变规律及空间分异驱动因子。[结果]滇桂黔石漠化片区城市建设蓬勃发展，石漠化治理效果良好。研究期内，建设用地和水域面积分别增加116.38%和76.40%,以石漠化裸岩石质地为主的未利用地则减少47.45%并主要转化为草地和林地；滇桂黔石漠化片区生态系统碳储量呈波动下降趋势，2018年降至30.61亿t,较1990年减少了0.52%。建设用地扩张对耕地和林地的侵占是碳储量减少的主要原因；滇桂黔石漠化片区生态系统碳储量空间分布差异明显，始终维持西南较高、南部次之、北部较低的空间分异特征，整体依次对应云南片区、广西片区以及贵州片区；滇桂黔石漠化片区生态系统碳储量空间分布差异受自然地理要素和社会经济要素共同作用，但人类活动影响最为显著。“距离县中心”始终是影响力最...     

近30年来滇中城市群生态用地变化轨迹时空演变特征及其驱动机制

[目的]生态用地在维持生态平衡和支撑经济发展方面发挥着重要作用。研究滇中城市群生态用地的时空演变特征和驱动机制对优化生态安全格局、推进云南生态文明建设、筑牢国家西南生态安全屏障具有重要现实意义。[方法]利用Google Earth Engine(GEE)云平台对滇中城市群1990—2020年生态用地进行识别的基础上,采用变化轨迹分析、热点分析和地理探测器对滇中城市群生态用地时空变化轨迹和驱动机制进行了探索。[结果](1)滇中城市群生态用地变化以非生态用地与林地互换为主,并集中发生在林地和非生态用地的过渡地带,而生态用地内部之间(林地和草地)的转换主要发生在研究区北部和南部的山地区域。(2)生态用地变化以低频次变化为主,高频次较少,频次变化在元江干热河谷、金沙江干热河谷区域、滇东滇东南喀斯特地带表现出明显的聚集效应。(3)耕地面积变化是影响滇中城市群生态用地变化的主要驱动力,社会经济因素对生态用地的影响力显著高于自然因素,在自然环境、耕地扩张、生态修复政策等多重驱动下,多因子交互作用对生态用地变化更具解释力。[结论]滇中城市群生态用地破碎,自然环境的改变和人类活动的日益增强极易导致生态用...     

抚仙湖流域生态用地时空演变及其驱动因素

[目的] 研究生态用地时空演变规律及形成机制，为维持区域生态平衡和保障生态文明建设提供科学参考。[方法] 运用土地利用变化幅度、洛伦兹曲线、基尼系数、回归分析及GIS技术等方法，分析2010-2018年抚仙湖流域生态用地时空演变特征及其形成机理。[结果] ①抚仙湖流域生态用地以耕地、林地和水域及水利设施用地为主。8 a来，耕地面积减少5.15 km²，林地面积减少1.94 km²，草地面积减少0.81 km²，园地面积减少0.19 km²，其他土地面积减少1.40 km²，水域及水利设施用地面积增加0.03 km²。②流域各种生态用地空间分布差异较大，耕地、林地空间分布较均匀，洛伦兹曲线比较靠近绝对均匀线，基尼系数居0~0.25之间。草地、园地、水域及水利设施用地和其他土地分布相对集中，洛伦兹曲线下凹程度较大，基尼系数多处于0.5之上。生态用地空间分布不均的趋势有所加强。③从驱动机制来看，导致流域生态用地时空变化的主要驱动因素为人口密度、城镇化水平、政策、到主要公路距离、到水域距离、到城镇建成区距离。[结论] 研究时段内，抚仙湖流域生态用地时空变化较显著，其变化是自然条件、社会经济条件及空间区位条件多种因素协同作用的结果。     

广东省1992-2015年土地覆被变化的时空差异及其成因

[目的] 从地形和社会经济两个因素出发探讨广东省土地覆被变化的时空差异及成因，为土地资源的可持续利用提供依据。[方法] 基于1992-2015年间广东省土地覆被数据，使用土地利用动态度、土地利用转移矩阵、灰色关联分析等方法量化土地覆被变化的时空特征与差异。[结果] 广东省土地覆被变化以2000年为节点可分为前期（1992-2000年）和后期（2000-2015年）两个阶段。前期耕地面积显著增加，建筑用地面积增速缓慢；后期耕地面积减小，建筑用地面积扩张迅速。地形因素造成土地覆被变化存在空间差异性。在高程低，坡度缓的区域土地覆被变化主要是耕地转化为建筑用地，而在坡度中等区域主要是林地转为耕地。社会经济因素造成土地覆被变化呈现较明显时间差异性，多种因子驱动广东省土地覆被发生变化。但对于不同的土地覆被类型，驱动因子前后期的关联度大小不同，土地覆被发生变化是多种因子驱动叠加的结果。[结论] 地形因素会造成土地覆被变化的空间差异，而社会经济因素导致土地覆被变化的时间差异。     

1990-2015年阿克苏市建设用地的扩展与驱动力

[目的]探讨新疆阿克苏市建设用地扩展特征及其驱动因素和存在的问题,为绿洲城市发展和建设决策提供一定的利用依据。[方法]以1990,2000,2010,2015年的Landsat TM/ETM⁺卫星遥感影像为数据源,借用ENVI进行监督分类,得出阿克苏市4个时间段的建设用地、耕地、林地、水体、未利用地等信息。应用建设用地扩展强度、速度,重心坐标转移、紧凑度、弹性系数等指标,研究阿克苏市建设用地变化规律。[结果]1990年建设用地面积为18.34 km²,2015年建设用地面积为91.61 km²,25 a里总扩展面积为73.24 km²,净增加了1990年的4倍。建设用地扩展中主要占用的土地类型为未利用地和耕地,面积分别为43.84,28.04 km²。建设用地重心坐标向EN,WS,WS方向迁移,靠近交通路线移动。1990-2000年重心坐标移动距离不大,移动距离为243.7 m。2000-2010年移动距离为832.2 m。2000-2015年移动距离最大（为1 568.2 m）,扩展形状为面状和条带状。建设用地外围紧凑度一直呈下降趋势,从1990年的0.201下降到2015年的0.066,城市空间形态越来越复杂。[结论]阿克苏市1990-2015年建设用地不断往外扩展。阿克苏市建设用地扩展速度在研究期间一直高于人口增长速度,而两者之间差距不断扩大,弹性系数为1990-2000年2.3,2010-2015年10.13,城市扩展与人口增长高度不合理。非农业人口因子、经济因子、政策因子、交通因子是引起阿克苏市土地利用变化最主要的驱动因素。     

2005-2018年澜沧江下游流域景观生态安全时空变化及其驱动因素

[目的] 分析澜沧江下游流域景观生态安全时空变化规律和驱动机制，为该流域及流经国家的人与自然协调可持续发展提供科学依据。[方法] 以2005，2010，2015和2018年4期遥感影像为数据源，通过景观指数和GIS空间分析方法评价流域景观生态安全，采用双变量空间自相关方法明确城市、道路、河流、高程、坡度、气温和降水等因素对景观生态安全的驱动作用。[结果] ①2005—2018年，澜沧江下游流域的整体景观生态安全度呈先升后降的变化特征。其中，北部和中西部景观生态安全较差，东部、南部和东南部较好，但也有恶化趋势；②各景观类型中，景观生态安全度从大到小为：水域 > 林地 > 草地 > 耕地 > 建设用地 > 裸地。其中，林地和草地的景观生态安全度存在波动，耕地和水域的景观生态安全度一直上升，而建设用地和裸地的景观生态安全度持续下降；③距城市距离、距道路距离、气温和降水等社会和气象因素对景观生态安全时空变化的驱动作用最强，距河流距离也对景观生态安全的时空变化有一定解释作用，而高程和坡度等地形因素并非澜沧江下游流域景观生态安全时空变化的主要驱动因素。[结论] 应尽量降低由人类活动引起的生态环境负荷，积极发挥气象因素对生态安全的正向效应，促进澜沧江下游流域的人与自然协调可持续发展。     

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