防风固沙草方格铺设机器人通过性研究

在沙漠沙土物理性能试验的基础上，对轮胎与沙土相互作用力进行计算，得到沙漠牵引车在行驶过程中产生的驱动力，进行了纵向铺草机构滚轮压草阻力试验，依据汽车地面力学理论对草方格铺设机器人的通过性进行了研究，结果表明所设计的机器人在沙漠中具有良好的通过性。     

内蒙古京津风沙源治理工程土壤风蚀控制效益研究

2000—2013年内蒙古风沙源治理工程区风蚀模数整体呈现下降趋势,风蚀程度有所减轻。5个亚治理区风蚀模数差异较大,其中浑善达克沙地治理区风蚀模数最高,其他依次为科尔沁沙地南缘治理区﹥乌兰察布高平原退化草原、荒漠草原治理区﹥锡林郭勒高平原-乌珠穆沁沙地盆地退化草原治理区﹥华北北部丘陵山地水源涵养治理区。工程区土壤风蚀量明显减少,2001—2013年累计净减少1 370 446.65×104t,其中,乌兰察布高平原退化草原、荒漠草原治理区累计净减少风蚀量最大;其次为锡林郭勒高平原-乌珠穆沁沙地盆地退化草原治理区。风力是造成内蒙古风沙源工程区土壤侵蚀的最主要营力。2000—2013年,工程区风蚀模数与风蚀量的逐步降低说明,京津风沙源治理工程实施十余年以来,通过实施各类治理措施,工程区土壤风蚀得到初步控制,工程区生态状况趋向好转,随着森林资源总量与质量的提高,水土流失状况进一步改善,沙化土地治理初见成效。     

Extensive dispersal of Roanoke logperch (Percina rex) inferred from genetic marker data

The dispersal ecology of most stream fishes is poorly characterised, complicating conservation efforts for these species. We used microsatellite DNA marker data to characterise dispersal patterns and effective population size (N_e) for a population of Roanoke logperch Percina rex, an endangered darter (Percidae). Juveniles and candidate parents were sampled for 2 years at sites throughout the Roanoke River watershed. Dispersal was inferred via genetic assignment tests (ATs), pedigree reconstruction (PR) and estimation of lifetime dispersal distance under a genetic isolation‐by‐distance model. Estimates of N_e varied from 105 to 1218 individuals, depending on the estimation method. Based on PR, polygamy was frequent in parents of both sexes, with individuals spawning with an average of 2.4 mates. The sample contained 61 half‐sibling pairs, but only one parent–offspring pair and no full‐sib pairs, which limited our ability to discriminate natal dispersal of juveniles from breeding dispersal of their parents between spawning events. Nonetheless, all methods indicated extensive dispersal. The AT indicated unrestricted dispersal among sites ≤15 km apart, while siblings inferred by the PR were captured an average of 14 km and up to 55 km apart. Model‐based estimates of median lifetime dispersal distance (6–24 km, depending on assumptions) bracketed AT and PR estimates, indicating that widely dispersed individuals do, on average, contribute to gene flow. Extensive dispersal of P. rex suggests that darters and other small benthic stream fishes may be unexpectedly mobile. Monitoring and management activities for such populations should encompass entire watersheds to fully capture population dynamics.     

Microhabitat use of the diamond darter

The only known extant population of the diamond darter (Crystallaria cincotta) exists in the lower 37 km of Elk River, WV, USA. Our understanding of diamond darter habitat use was previously limited, because few individuals have been observed during sampling with conventional gears. We quantified microhabitat use of diamond darters based on measurements of water depth, water velocity and per cent substrate composition. Using spotlights at night‐time, we sampled 16 sites within the lower 133 km of Elk River and observed a total of 82 diamond darters at 10 of 11 sampling sites within the lower 37 km. Glides, located immediately upstream of riffles, were the primary habitats sampled for diamond darters, which included relatively shallow depths (<1 m), moderate‐to‐low water velocities (often < 0.5 m·s^?1) and a smooth water surface. Microhabitat use (mean ± SE) of diamond darters was estimated for depth (0.47 ± 0.02 m), average velocity (0.27 ± 0.01 m·s^?1) and bottom velocity (0.15 ± 0.01 m·s^?1). Substrate used (mean ± SE) by diamond darters was predominantly sand intermixed with lesser amounts of gravel and cobble: % sand (52.1 ± 1.6), % small gravel (12.2 ± 0.78), % large gravel (14.2 ± 0.83), % cobble (19.8 ± 0.96) and % boulder (1.6 ± 0.36). Based on our microhabitat use data, conservation and management efforts for this species should consider preserving glide habitats within Elk River. Spotlighting, a successful sampling method for diamond darters, should be considered for study designs of population estimation and long‐term monitoring.     

The effect of soil texture and organic amendment on the hydrological behaviour of coarse-textured soils

To gain more insight into the hydrological behaviour of coarse-textured soils, the physical properties of artificially created soil mixtures with different texture were determined. The mixtures were prepared according to the specifications of the United States Golf Association (USGA) for constructing putting greens. In addition, the effect of 10 vol.% organic matter addition was studied. The soil moisture retention and hydraulic conductivity relationships of the different mixtures were determined and their hydrological behaviour was studied using the numerical model SoWaM. Both texture and organic matter addition substantially affected the hydraulic properties. Hydraulic conductivity significantly increased with increasing coarseness while moisture retention decreased. On the other hand, organic matter addition reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity by a factor of 10 to 100 and distinctly increased moisture retention capacity. The amounts of total available water were increased by the addition of organic matter between 144% (slightly coarse texture) and 434% (very coarse texture). Results indicate that the mixtures can contain only 2–16% plant available water and therefore need frequent irrigation to maintain plant growth. Addition of organic matter seems a good solution to reduce the irrigation water requirements but it increases the risk of ponding or runoff because of large reductions in the saturated hydraulic conductivity sometimes to below the rate of 3.6 m/day recommended by the USGA.     

Summer microhabitat use by adult and young‐of‐year snail darters (Percina tanasi) in two rivers

Ashton MJ, Layzer JB. Summer microhabitat use by adult and young‐of‐year snail darters (Percina tanasi) in two rivers. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 609–617. © Published 2010. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Abstract – We characterised microhabitat availability and use by adult and young‐of‐year (YOY) snail darters (Percina tanasi Etnier 1976 ) while snorkelling in the French Broad and Hiwassee rivers, TN, USA. Both age groups of snail darters disproportionately used most microhabitat variables compared to their availability. Snail darters primarily occupied moderately deep, swift water over gravel substrates with little macrophyte coverage and no silt. Univariate comparisons indicated that adult and YOY darters occupied different habitat, but there was no marked differences between principal components analysis plots of multivariate microhabitat use within a river. Although the availability of microhabitat variables differed between the French Broad and Hiwassee rivers, univariate means and multivariate plots illustrated that the habitats used were generally similar by age groups of snail darters between rivers. Because our observations of habitat availability and use were constrained to low flow periods and depths <1 m, the transferability of our results to higher flow periods may be limited. However, the similarity in habitat use between rivers suggests that our results can be applied to low‐normal flow conditions in other streams.     

Germination-enhancing and zinc-sparing roles for selenium in broccoli

Large areas of China have soils low in both available selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). In order to investigate whether Se supplied as either selenate or selenite can increase germination and growth compared with low-Se controls we used broccoli, an important vegetable with anticancer effects, especially when biofortified with Se. Broccoli was grown under both Zn adequacy and Zn deficiency to determine whether interactions between these minerals affect plant growth. Selenite and selenate at a wide range of doses increased the speed and extent of germination. Both inorganic Se forms increased early root and shoot growth at low concentrations, with selenite having a stronger effect than selenate. A sand culture trial showed a similar growth increase due to low-dose Se under Zn deficiency but not under Zn adequacy. Conversely, at high Se levels, the results provided evidence from biomass, water use, photosynthesis and gas exchange that broccoli growth was inhibited at high Se levels, with selenite being more toxic than selenate. In this broccoli trial, the two Se forms were equally effective in increasing leaf Se concentration, whereas in most plants selenite is largely converted to organic Se forms and stored in the roots. This study suggests that Se, supplied either as selenate or selenite, may improve germination and growth in broccoli, especially on Zn-deficient soils. Field trials conducted on soils which are very low in both plant-available Se and Zn are needed.     

中缅油气管道国内段砂土液化处理措施

中缅油气管道国内段沿线存在不连续的长距离砂土液化地带,砂土液化是地下管道遭受地震破坏的主要原因之一.为增强管道抵抗土壤液化的能力,通过对砂土液化现象及其危害进行分析,结合油气管道沿线砂土液化特点,对管道敷设深度内有中等、严重砂土液化趋势的地段采取平衡压袋稳管方式进行液化处理.该处理措施具有经济、环保、便于施工、不影响管道主体工程安装和总体工期等特点,而且对于避免和减轻地震灾害,确保油气管道的安全运行具有重要意义,在类似管道工程建设中值得推广应用.(表2,图3,参4)