A rapid assessment of landscape biodiversity using diversity profiles of arthropod morphospecies

Context

The assessment of land-use impacts on biodiversity is one of the central themes of landscape ecology and conservation biology. However, due to the complexity of biodiversity, it is impossible to obtain complete information about the diversity of all species even for small areas, necessitating the selection of individual species or assemblages thereof as species surrogate. In parts of the world where taxonomic expertise is lacking, species identification has hindered progress in biodiversity conservation, and the only practical, relatively-accurate option, is the use of taxonomic minimalism.

Objective

We carried out a rapid biodiversity assessment based on three surrogates—land-use (driver-surrogate), terrestrial arthropods (species-surrogate) and morphospecies (taxonomic-surrogate)—to determine the impacts of land-use on biodiversity of the Western Region (Ghana), an area covering ~4 % of the West African biodiversity hotspot.

Method

We used diversity profiles to visualize the distribution of a total of 8848 arthropod individuals over seven land-use types which define the complete heterogeneity of the landscape.

Results

Here, we present both sample and asymptotic diversity profiles of arthropod morphospecies for each land-use type and the potential of each land-use type for conserving arthropods.

Conclusions

We conclude that (1) the morphospecies approach is useful for detecting differences in species diversity of land-use types; (2) the concept of asymptotic diversity may not be necessary for land-use based biodiversity comparison; and (3) maximum diversity profiles are useful for determining the land-use conservation values in cases where pristine areas are not available.

     

滇东北4种典型筇竹林凋落物的持水性

以滇东北4种典型筇竹林为研究对象，对比分析不同类型筇竹林凋落物储量及持水性能，从而为滇东北筇竹林生态可持续经营提供理论依据和实践指导。研究结果表明，凋落物储量为人工筇竹-黄皮树混交林（7.61 t/hm²） > 天然筇竹-人工黄皮树混交林（6.61 t/hm²） > 天然筇竹-人工厚朴混交林（5.73 t/hm²） > 天然筇竹纯林（5.23 t/hm²）。凋落物最大持水量为天然筇竹-人工厚朴混交林（3.45 t/hm²） > 人工筇竹-黄皮树混交林（3.22 t/hm²） > 天然筇竹-人工黄皮树混交林（2.89 t/hm²） > 天然筇竹纯林（2.69 t/hm²）。4种类型筇竹林凋落物吸水速率均随着浸泡时间延长而逐渐趋于一致，筇竹混交林凋落物吸水速率高于筇竹纯林。凋落物的总有效拦蓄量为人工筇竹-黄皮树混交林（9.74 t/hm²） > 天然筇竹-人工厚朴混交林（8.95 t/hm²） > 天然筇竹-人工黄皮树混交林（7.73 t/hm²） > 天然筇竹纯林（6.23 t/hm²）。     

Differential Cl−/Salt Tolerance and NaCl‐Induced Alternations of Tissue and Cellular Ion Fluxes in Glycine max,Glycine soja and their Hybrid Seedlings

The salt‐sensitive Glycine max N23674 cultivar, the salt‐born Glycine soja BB52 population, and their hybrid 4076 strain (F₅) selected for salt tolerance generation by generation were used as the experimental materials in this study. First, the effects of NaCl stress on seed germination, tissue damage, and time‐course ionic absorption and transportation were compared. When qualitatively compared with seed germination appearance in culture dishes, and tissue damages on roots or leaves of seedlings, or quantitatively compared with the relative salt injury rate, the inhibition on N23674 was all the most remarkable. After the exposure of 140 mm NaCl for 1 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 2 days and 4 days, the content of Cl^? gradually increased in the roots and leaves of seedlings of BB52, 4076 and 23674. Interestingly, the extents of the Cl^? rise in roots of the three experimental soybean materials were BB52 > 4076 > N23674, whereas those in leaves were just on the contrary. Secondly, by using the scanning ion‐selective electrode technique (SIET), fluxes of Na⁺ and Cl^? in roots and protoplasts isolated from roots and leaves were also investigated among the three experimental soybean materials. After 140 mm NaCl stress for 2, 4 and 6 days, and when compared with N23674, slighter net Cl^? influxes were observed in root tissue and protoplasts of roots and leaves of BB52 and 4076 seedlings, especially at the cellular protoplast level. The results indicate that with regard to the ionic effect of NaCl stress, Cl^? was the main determinant salt ion for salt tolerance in G. soja, G. max and their hybrid, and the difference in their Cl^?/salt tolerance is mainly attributed to the capacity of Cl^? restriction to the plant above‐ground parts such as leaves.     

基于生态足迹模型的西北干旱绿洲农业区可持续发展评价——以张掖市为例

利用生态足迹和生态承载力的理论和方法,以西北干旱绿洲农业区城市张掖为例,对其可持续发展状况及程度进行了评价和度量。结果表明：张掖市2009年人均生态足迹为3.798hm2,人均承载力为1.453hm2,人均生态赤字为2.345hm2。在此基础上,对张掖市的生态可持续发展进行了评价,并提出解决对策。     

A network model framework for prioritizing wetland conservation in the Great Plains

Context

Playa wetlands are the primary habitat for numerous wetland-dependent species in the Southern Great Plains of North America. Plant and wildlife populations that inhabit these wetlands are reciprocally linked through the dispersal of individuals, propagules and ultimately genes among local populations.

Objective

To develop and implement a framework using network models for conceptualizing, representing and analyzing potential biological flows among 48,981 spatially discrete playa wetlands in the Southern Great Plains.

Methods

We examined changes in connectivity patterns and assessed the relative importance of wetlands to maintaining these patterns by targeting wetlands for removal based on network centrality metrics weighted by estimates of habitat quality and probability of inundation.

Results

We identified several distinct, broad-scale sub networks and phase transitions among playa wetlands in the Southern Plains. In particular, for organisms that can disperse >2 km a dense and expansive wetland sub network emerges in the Southern High Plains. This network was characterized by localized, densely connected wetland clusters at link distances (h) >2 km but <5 km and was most sensitive to changes in wetland availability (p) and configuration when h = 4 km, and p = 0.2–0.4. It transitioned to a single, large connected wetland system at broader spatial scales even when the proportion of inundated wetland was relatively low (p = 0.2).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that redundancy in the potential for broad and fine-scale movements insulates this system from damage and facilitates system-wide connectivity among populations with different dispersal capacities.

     

Establishment of a comprehensive indicator system for the assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services

Context

Common indicators are needed to monitor biodiversity loss and the implications for the sustainable provision of ecosystem services (ES). A plethora of different sets of indicators may hinder the identification of major endpoints for large-scale assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES).

Objectives

We aim to describe the main challenges of indicators for BES assessment and provide suggestions for establishing a comprehensive indicator system.

Methods

An extensive literature review was conducted in this study. We review the main challenges of indicators for BES assessment and propose corresponding improvements from our perspectives of theory and practical applications.

Results

The main theoretical challenges of existing indicators include inconsistent definitions and classifications of ES, misunderstanding of linkages among biodiversity, ecosystem structure, functions and services, and practical problems relate to such issues as indicator representativeness, data availability, and uncertainty. Our suggested improvements include clarifying the main terms, concepts and classification of indicators, establishing a robust conceptual framework with clear interactions among different components and indicators, selecting indicators based on ecosystem properties, streaming existing data into one platform, and strengthening validation of proxies. The steps for constructing a comprehensive indicator system for BES assessment are summarized.

Conclusions

Clear definitions of key terms are indispensable to classify indicators and construct a conceptual framework. Improved understanding of the relations among indicators of biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ES across multiple scales can guide the development of the indicator system. The integrated indicator system is an important tool for BES assessment to support decision making for sustainable development.

     

Symbiotic N<Subscript>2</Subscript> fixation and nitrate utilisation in irrigated lucerne (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis>) systems

Symbiotic N₂ fixation by lucerne (Medicago sativa) has capacity to provide significant inputs of N to agro-ecosystems, and the species has also been shown to scavenge soil mineral N and thus act as a sink for excess reactive N. The balance between these two N cycle processes was investigated in an extensive irrigated lucerne growing region where nitrate contamination of groundwater has been reported. We sampled 18 permanent pure lucerne stands under irrigation for standing dry matter, total shoot N, and N₂ fixation using ¹⁵N natural abundance along with activity of the inducible enzyme nitrate reductase as indicators of use of soil NO₃⁻ by lucerne. On average 65% of lucerne N was obtained from symbiotic N₂ fixation. Converting standing dry matter estimates to annual N₂ fixation amounts we calculated average N₂ fixation of 311 kg N/ha, including N in roots and nodules. Uptake of N from soil by lucerne was calculated to be 181 kg N/ha/year. We were not able to identify the source of this soil mineral N, although nitrate reductase activity of lucerne was higher than that of non-N₂ fixing species examined.     

全双工双通路中继网络干扰处理与信号检测算法

全双工双通路连续中继(FD-TPSR)网络频谱效率高,状态控制简单,但全双工中继存在残留自干扰(RSI),发射中继对接收中继也会形成中继间干扰(IRI),会导致通信性能下降.这里提出一种中继间干扰处理方法,中继节点消除部分IRI,以提高端到端信干噪比;保留部分IRI,在目的节点构成延迟转发编码结构,以提供分集增益.同时提出一种基于并行软干扰消除的匹配滤波(MF-PSIC)信号检测算法,匹配滤波器结构简单,实现复杂度低,基于软输出的并行干扰消除能同时检测所有时隙的符号,处理时延小.仿真结果表明,中继间干扰处理方法兼顾了分集增益和累积干扰与噪声因素,相比于无IRI消除和完全IRI消除,误比特率最低; MF-PSIC信号检测算法实现复杂度低,相比于ML信号检测算法仅有很少的性能损失.     

杏鲍菇多孢分离菌株ISSR、RAPD分子标记及体细胞不亲和性分析

通过杏鲍菇多孢分离菌株的ISSR、RAPD分子标记和体细胞不亲和性分析,体细胞不亲和性分析得出子代杏1、杏3、杏4与出发菌株湘杏98有拮抗线,杏1、杏2、杏3、杏4四株子代均有明显的拮抗线。16条ISSR引物和19条RAPD引物分别扩增出99、154个条带,多态性条带分别占48.48%、61.00%;相似系数变异范围分别为0.63~0.86、0.57~0.83。湘杏98、杏2、杏3在2种标记的聚类结果上存在差异。体细胞不亲和性分析从表型上(拮抗线有无)反应了菌株的遗传变异。RAPD标记遗传相似系数小于ISSR标记,表明ISSR标记更适合亲缘关系较近的种群间遗传多样性分析。     

Characterization of resistance to the wheat stem sawfly in spring wheat landrace accessions from targeted geographic regions of the world

Plant landraces have long been recognized as potential gene pools for biotic and abiotic stress-related genes. This research used spring wheat landrace accessions to identify new sources of resistance to the wheat stem sawfly (WSS) (Cephus cinctus Norton), an important insect pest of wheat in the northern Great Plains of North America. Screening efforts targeted 1409 accessions from six geographical areas of the world where other species of grain sawflies are endemic or where a high frequency of accessions possesses the resistance characteristic of solid stems. Resistance was observed in approximately 14% of accessions. Half of the lines displayed both antixenosis and antibiosis types of resistance. Among the resistant accessions, 41% had solid or semi-solid stems. Molecular genetic screening for haplotypes at the solid stem QTL, Qss.msub.3BL, showed that 15% of lines shared the haplotype derived from ‘S-615’, the original donor of the solid stem trait to North American germplasm. Other haplotypes associated with solid stems were also observed. Haplotype diversity was greater in the center of origin of wheat. Evaluation of a representative set of resistant landrace accessions in replicated field trials at four locations over a three year period identified accessions with potential genes for reduced WSS infestation, increased WSS mortality, and increased indirect defense via parasitoids. Exploitation of distinct types of plant defense will expand the genetic diversity for WSS resistance currently present in elite breeding lines.