插秧机作业面积测量远程监测系统软件设计——基于VisualBasic.NET 2010

为实现对插秧机作业区域自动识别和作业面积的自动测量,实时掌握跨区作业插秧机远程作业面积参量值,以VisualStudio平台上的VisualBasic.NET2010为开发环境,开发了一套高速插秧机跨区作业面积远程测量监测系统软件。该软件功能主要包括GPS定位轨迹及作业区域的识别、面积测量、数据通讯、数据显示和数据存贮。系统采用VisualBasic.NET2010语言进行开发,将远程跨区作业的插秧机面积测量监测数据经由GPRS网络进行无线传输到上位机,并采用SOCKET组件和ADO.NET技术实现系统数据通信,完成PC机与下位机之间数据的传输,对测量结果进行显示存储,同时通过系统误差分析完成系统的可行性判断。     

虚拟仪器在杏鲍菇生长环境监控系统中的应用

有机食用菌杏鲍菇的栽培是宁夏南部山区的特色产业,杏鲍菇的生物学特性直接决定了工厂化栽培的基本特征。温湿度、二氧化碳浓度等环境因子对杏鲍菇不同时期的生长有着重要影响,研究环境因子的调控理论和方法是提升杏鲍菇品质与产量的重要基础,因此需要对环境因子各种变量进行数据采集。为此,以三菱FX2NPLC、FX2N-4 AD模拟量输入模块,以及传感器搭建环境因子数据采集平台;并以Lab VIEW作为上位机,通过PC与PLC串口通信,实现对环境因子的实时监控及数据存储。该研究为后期分析温室内外环境因子与杏鲍菇生长发育状况的数据关系奠定了科学基础。     

基于无线传感器网络的水质监测系统研究

针对国内外水质环境研究中水质样品异地监测分析存在的巨大缺陷,研究了水质自动监测系统。文章介绍了基于无线通讯传感器网络的简易水质自动监测系统,实现水质数据自动采集和实时上传,可以实现对钱塘江源头水质（衢州水质）进行更好的监测及保护。     

干旱胁迫对3种冷季型草坪草光谱反射率及生理特征的影响

为探讨高光谱分析技术在草坪草水分监测上的应用,以草地早熟禾、高羊茅、多年生黑麦草为试验材料,测定了干旱胁迫下3种冷季型草坪草生理指标及光谱反射率。结果表明:随着干旱胁迫程度的加深,供试草坪草叶片相对含水量和叶绿素含量显著下降(P0.05),丙二醛含量、脯氨酸含量及敏感波段的(550和760 nm)的光谱反射率显著上升(P0.05),3种草坪草抗旱性能的强弱顺序为:高羊茅多年生黑麦草草地早熟禾。3种草坪草敏感波段光谱反射率(R_(550 nm),R_(760 nm))及高光谱参数(Rg,R0,GNDVI)与生理指标间呈显著或极显著相关,以R_(550 nm)与生理指标间的相关系数绝对值最大。同时R_(550 nm)构建了供试草坪草生理指标的估测模型,经检验,模型估测值与实测值相关性达显著或极显著水平。     

The nearest-plant method is robust and powerful enough for different survey teams to monitor change in mesic grassland species composition

A long-term rangeland monitoring programme needs to employ a field survey technique that is practicable, precise, powerful enough to distinguish change, not prone to worker bias, and able to distinguish real change from operator error arising from staff turnover. These criteria were used to evaluate a widely used grassland sampling technique in South Africa – the nearest-plant (with 200 points) method (NP) – against common alternatives, namely NP excluding forbs (NP-nf), the plant number scale (PNS; a cover-abundance method) and quadrat frequency (QF), using multivariate ordination and permutation tests. Four trained teams surveyed four grasslands using each method. PNS took more than twice as long as the other techniques, which were similarly rapid. Estimates of composition using NP methods were the most precise and PNS was least repeatable, with QF intermediate. Compositional differences between sites were most finely distinguished using NP-nf, followed by NP and QF. PNS was able to detect only marked differences and had the greatest potential for surveyor bias. The NP method, with or without including forbs, is therefore recommended for monitoring the species composition of mesic, dense grassland. Some suggestions for monitoring agencies on how best to use multivariate methods are presented.     

Genetic monitoring of ex situ African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) populations in South Africa

The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) has suffered population declines and is listed in the IUCN Red List as Endangered. The species is endemic to the coast of southern Africa, and breeding colonies are distributed on the south-western coast of Africa. Currently, African Penguins are being kept in zoo and aquarium facilities throughout South Africa. In this study, molecular genetic data based on 12 microsatellite markers from 1 119 African Penguin samples from four facilities were generated in order to determine the level of genetic variation, population structure and differentiation, and effective population size to assist in the development of an effective captive management plan. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.57 to 0.62, and allelic richness from 4.2 to 5.1. However, based on differences between first- and second-generation captive birds, we conclude that the ex situ population is at risk of losing genetic variability in the future and management programmes should include exchange of birds between captive facilities in order to induce gene flow and increase effective population size. Adding individuals from in situ populations should also be considered in the future in cases where these birds cannot be rehabilitated. Molecular genetic analyses of wild penguin populations should be carried out for comparison, and to ascertain to what degree ‘in situ genetic diversity’ is represented among ex situ populations. With regular resampling and analyses, the extent of the effect of processes such as genetic drift on diversity in the ex situ penguin populations will become evident.     

Stress steroid levels and the short-term impact of routine dehorning in female southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Rhinoceros populations in Africa are under severe threat as a result of surging poaching rates and risk-mitigation strategies are continuously adapted in an attempt to ensure the survival of the species. This study compared faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels of two age classes of limited free-ranging female white rhinos with fGCM levels of adult free-ranging female white rhinos. Subsequently, fGCM alterations in the limited free-ranging animals were monitored following routine dehorning as a measure of the animals’ short-term physiological stress response. Baseline fGCM levels differed significantly between tested groups, with both free-ranging and limited free-ranging adult animals showing significantly higher fGCM levels compared with limited free-ranging juvenile females. In contrast, baseline fGCM levels did not differ significantly between limited free-ranging and free-ranging adult individuals. Routine dehorning procedures resulted in a short-term stress response expressed by a significant increase in fGCM levels 48 h post-dehorning, with stress steroid levels returning to pre-dehorning concentrations 72 h after the procedure.