Reproduction in three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from rainforest streams in northern Queensland, Australia

Abstract – The reproductive biology of three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) in northeastern Australian rainforest streams was investigated. Two species, Melanotaenia eachamensis and Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides are endemic to the area, whereas the third, M. splendida splendida, is more widespread. The species were all highly fecund, producing many hundreds of eggs between 1.10 and 1.24 mm in diameter. Melanotaenia eachamensis was the most fecund, produced the largest eggs of the three species, and consequently exhibited the greatest maternal investment (as measured by gonadosomatic index). The majority of reproductive effort occurred during the dry season, although reproductively active fish were present year-round for each of the species, but particularly so for M. s. splendida and C. rhombosomoides. No evidence for a role by temperature or photoperiod as environmental cues for reproduction was found, and it was suggested that gonad development was strongly tied to somatic growth. The concentration of reproduction to the dry season ensures that larvae are produced during a period of relatively stable and benign physical conditions. Comparison of temporal changes in gonadosomatic index values suggest that the spawning season of M. eachamensis , which occurs in high-elevation streams, is more restricted and commences about 1 month earlier than either other species. A similar phenology was observed for the M. s. splendida population found at high elevation and highlights the potential for spatial differences in stream productivity to influence life history. ^Note     

Characterizing historical and modern fire regimes in Michigan (USA): A landscape ecosystem approach

We studied the relationships of landscape ecosystems to historical and contemporary fire regimes across 4.3 million hectares in northern lower Michigan (USA). Changes in fire regimes were documented by comparing historical fire rotations in different landscape ecosystems to those occurring between 1985 and 2000. Previously published data and a synthesis of the literature were used to identify six forest-replacement fire regime categories with fire rotations ranging from very short (<100 years) to very long (>1,000 years). We derived spatially-explicit estimates of the susceptibility of landscape ecosystems to fire disturbance using Landtype Association maps as initial units of investigation. Each Landtype Association polygon was assigned to a fire regime category based on associations of ecological factors known to influence fire regimes. Spatial statistics were used to interpolate fire points recorded by the General Land Office. Historical fire rotations were determined by calculating the area burned for each category of fire regime and dividing this area by fifteen (years) to estimate area burned per annum. Modern fire rotations were estimated using data on fire location and size obtained from federal and state agencies. Landtype Associations networked into fire regime categories exhibited differences in both historical and modern fire rotations. Historical rotations varied by 23-fold across all fire rotation categories, and modern forest fire rotations by 13-fold. Modern fire rotations were an order of magnitude longer than historical rotations. The magnitude of these changes has important implications for forest health and understanding of ecological processes in most of the fire rotation categories that we identified.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Root architecture of sorghum genotypes differing in root angles under different water regimes

Plant root architecture offers the potential for increasing soil water accessibility, particularly under water-limited conditions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the root architecture in two genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) differing in root angles and to assess the influence of different deficit irrigation regimes on root architecture. The response of two sorghum genotypes, ‘Early Hegari-Sart’ (EH; steep root angle) and ‘Bk7’ (shallow root angle) to four irrigation treatments was investigated in two replicated outdoor studies using large pots. The results indicated that EH possessed steeper brace and crown root angles, fewer brace roots, greater root biomass, and root length density than Bk7 at deeper soil depths (i.e., 15–30 and 30–45 cm) compared with a shallower depth (i.e., 0–15 cm). Across the soil profile, EH had greater root length density and length of roots of small diameter (<1 mm) than Bk7. Accordingly, EH showed more rapid soil-water capture than Bk7. Different levels of irrigation input greatly affected root architecture. Severe deficit irrigation (25% of full crop transpiration throughout the season) increased the angle and number of crown roots, root biomass, and root length density compared with 75 and 100% of full crop transpiration treatments. Consequently, root system architecture can be effectively manipulated through both genotypic selection and irrigation management to ensure optimal performance under different levels of soil available water.     

Typical hydrodynamic models for aquaculture nets: A comparative study under pure current conditions

The net is regarded as the most critical component in marine aquaculture facilities as it is the only barrier which protects the environment from fish escapes. Accurate predictions of the net cage deformation and drag force on the nets are needed, both for ensuring fish welfare and for dimensioning of the mooring system. Thus, an appropriate hydrodynamic model is essential. In practice, two types of hydrodynamic force models, i.e., the Morison type and the Screen type, are commonly used to calculate the hydrodynamic forces on nets. Application of the models depends on the underlying structural model and the availability of data. A systematic review of hydrodynamic models is therefore undertaken to compare the models and various parameterisations, in aid of model selection during the design. In this study, eleven commonly used hydrodynamic models, i.e., five Morison models and six Screen models, are reviewed comprehensively, and implemented into a general finite element (FE) solver for dynamic simulations. Sensitivity studies on different current velocities, inflow angles and solidities of the nets are carried out. Moreover, different wake effects are also considered in numerical simulations. The numerical results from different models are compared against existing experimental data under pure current conditions. Suggestions for selection of suitable hydrodynamic models are provided, based on the model comparison.     

苜蓿根系构型及生理特性对干旱复水的响应

为了研究苜蓿根系构型及生理特性对干旱复水后的响应,对肇东苜蓿进行盆栽控水试验。设置正常供水（CK）、轻度干旱（LS）、中度干旱（MS）和重度干旱（SS） 4个处理,在干旱处理4周后进行复水,研究各处理间根系构型及生理指标的差异。结果表明：干旱处理对根干重和根尖数有极显著影响（P<0.01）,对比根长、根表面积、根体积和根密度有显著影响（P<0.05）。干旱胁迫抑制了根系的生长,降低了根干重、根长、根表面积、根体积、根密度和根尖数等形态指标,促进了比根长的增加。各处理间拓扑指数差异显著（P<0.05）,干旱促进苜蓿根系从二分枝型向人字形结构转变。干旱胁迫极显著（P<0.01）增加了根系丙二醛（MDA）和超氧负离子（O^2-）的含量,同时超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量也极显著增加（P<0.01）,从而保持体内活性氧处于较低水平。脱落酸（ABA）含量在干旱胁迫下极显著（P<0.01）增加,通过其生理作用及信号传导途径提高苜蓿抗旱性。     

液力偶合器部分充液流场数值模拟与特性计

利用CFD平台的滑动网格法与混合模型模拟液力偶合器流场的瞬态流动,得到偶合器内部速度与压力分布.总结了不同充液率下流场结构的变化及两相分布情况.基于速度、压力数值解计算了液力偶合器叶轮转矩,并计算出不同充液率下液力偶合器的原始特性.将性能预测结果与实验进行了对比分析,结果表明,数值模拟计算结果与实验结果吻合较好,基本反映了流道内部流动的基本特征.     

Effect of pruning intensities of three woody leguminous species grown in alley cropping with maize and cowpea on an alfisol

Field trials were carried out on an Oxic Paleustalf in the humid zone of southwestern Nigeria withLeucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit,Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. andSesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. alley cropped with maize and cowpea. The three leguminous woody species were grown in hedgerows spaced at 2 m. Trials were carried out one year after establishment of the hedgerows using a split-plot design with four replications. TheLeucaena trial had twenty pruning combinations consisting of five pruning heights (25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 cm) and four pruning frequencies (monthly, bi-, tri- and six-monthly). TheGliricidia andSesbania hedgerows were subjected to nine pruning intensities consisting of three pruning heights (25, 50 and 100 cm) and three pruning intensities (monthly, tri- and six-monthly). For the three woody species, biomass, dry wood and nitrogen yield from the hedgerow prunings increased with decreasing pruning frequency and increasing pruning height. Biomass, dry wood and nitrogen yields were in the following orderLeucaena >Gliricidia >Sesbania. The various pruning intensities had no effect on survival ofLeucaena plants. Pruning frequency had a larger effect than pruning height on survival ofGliricidia andSesbania plants. With monthly pruning, about 25 percent of theGliricidia and all of theSesbania plants died within six months of repeated pruning. Even with lower pruning frequencySesbania plants showed lower survival rates thanGliricidia orLeucaena. The various pruning intensities of all the hedgerow species had more pronounced effects on the grain yield of the alley cropped cowpea than on maize grain yield. Higher maize and cowpea yields were obtained with increasing pruning frequency and decreasing pruning height. IITA Journal paper number 335     

Effect of pruning intensities of three woody leguminous species grown in alley cropping with maize and cowpea on an alfisol

Field trials were carried out on an Oxic Paleustalf in the humid zone of southwestern Nigeria withLeucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit,Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. andSesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. alley cropped with maize and cowpea. The three leguminous woody species were grown in hedgerows spaced at 2 m. Trials were carried out one year after establishment of the hedgerows using a split-plot design with four replications. TheLeucaena trial had twenty pruning combinations consisting of five pruning heights (25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 cm) and four pruning frequencies (monthly, bi-, tri- and six-monthly). TheGliricidia andSesbania hedgerows were subjected to nine pruning intensities consisting of three pruning heights (25, 50 and 100 cm) and three pruning intensities (monthly, tri- and six-monthly).For the three woody species, biomass, dry wood and nitrogen yield from the hedgerow prunings increased with decreasing pruning frequency and increasing pruning height. Biomass, dry wood and nitrogen yields were in the following orderLeucaena >Gliricidia >Sesbania.The various pruning intensities had no effect on survival ofLeucaena plants. Pruning frequency had a larger effect than pruning height on survival ofGliricidia andSesbania plants. With monthly pruning, about 25 percent of theGliricidia and all of theSesbania plants died within six months of repeated pruning. Even with lower pruning frequencySesbania plants showed lower survival rates thanGliricidia orLeucaena.The various pruning intensities of all the hedgerow species had more pronounced effects on the grain yield of the alley cropped cowpea than on maize grain yield. Higher maize and cowpea yields were obtained with increasing pruning frequency and decreasing pruning height.IITA Journal paper number 335     

杉木采伐对集水区土壤热状况的影响

土壤作为森林生态系统的子体系 ,是林木扎根并赖以生存的基础 ,也是土壤微生物一切生命活动的场所。因此 ,有关土壤养分、水分及其土壤物理结构特征等方面的研究报告颇多 (王政权等 ,2 0 0 0 ;张合平等 ,1 997)。但是有关森林土壤的热状况 ,以及林木采伐后对土壤热状况影响的研究报导很少 (康文星等 ,1 989;刘煊景等 ,1 993)。本文在获得采伐前连续 3年和采伐后连续 3年的观测数据的基础上 ,就杉木人工林生态系统土壤的热状况各因子之间 ,土壤各组成成分对热状况的单一或组合效应 ,以及皆伐这种人为强烈干扰对土壤热状况的影响进行了剖析。…     

波浪作用下半潜式养殖网箱水动力特性

半潜式深远海养殖网箱在波浪作用下会发生变形与运动。为保证网箱结构的稳定性,需对其水动力特性进行分析。本研究基于有限元法建立了波浪作用下一种半潜式网箱的数值模型,通过仿真计算求解网箱的锚绳受力与运动情况。首先,将计算机模拟值与物理水槽试验值进行比较,验证数值模型的准确性。然后,分别研究了半潜式网箱在3种压载状态下的动力响应情况,分析比较了不同波浪条件下网箱锚绳张力、垂荡、纵荡和纵摇的计算结果。结果显示,计算值与试验值基本吻合,二者的相对误差在5%左右。当波高一定时,网箱迎浪侧和背浪侧锚绳受力与波浪周期改变无明显关联;当周期一定时,两侧锚绳受力均随波高的增加而增大。网箱的垂荡、纵荡及纵摇值均与波高呈正相关,随着半潜式网箱吃水的增加,网箱的垂荡、纵荡及纵摇值基本呈减小趋势。网箱在3种压载状态下最大垂荡值和纵荡值分别为12.67 m和10.59 m,网箱在空载状态下的最大纵摇值≤15°,表明半潜式网箱结构具有较好的稳定性。研究结果可为我国深远海养殖网箱设计提供理论参考。