Phenotypic plasticity of two invasive alien plant species inside a deciduous forest in a strict nature reserve in Italy

ABSTRACT

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) represent one of the main biological threats to biodiversity worldwide. Information about their phenotypic plasticity are needed to increase awareness about their future invasive potential. A study about phenotypic plasticity in response to contrasting light regimes and its quantification by a plasticity index (PI) of two IAPs (Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia) inside a Strict Nature Reserve was conducted. R. pseudoacacia showed a 70% higher PI, with a strongly greater value at morphological leaf level, associated with a greater ability to survive and grow in forest understory, explaining its greater widespread. Otherwise, A. altissima showed its highest PI at physiological level, which was associated with the ability to colonize and grow in environments with high-light regimes. Based on these results, the conservative management has limited the presence of A. altissima by its lower ability to grow in forest understory. In fact, the small-scale gaps in the forest infrastructure, that could allow its recruitment, are originated only from the death of a single tree or small group of trees. Regarding R. pseudoacacia, it is critical to maintain this type of management because any disturbances resulting in large openings could further promote its presence inside the Reserve.     

Threats to at-risk salmonids of the Canadian Rocky Mountain region

Trout and charr, members of the salmonid family, have high conservation value but are also susceptible to anthropogenic threats in part due to the specificity of their habitat requirements. Understanding historical and future threats facing these species is necessary to promote their recovery. Of freshwater trout and charr in the Canadian Rocky Mountain region, westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi), bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus; a charr species) and Athabasca rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are of conservation concern. And indeed, range contractions and declining populations are evident throughout much of their ranges. Range contraction was most evident in the southern Alberta designatable unit (DU) of westslope cutthroat trout. Diminished populations were also evident in the downstream watersheds of the Alberta bull trout range, and throughout the Athabasca rainbow trout range. We assessed historical and future threats to evaluate the relative importance of individual threats to each DU and compare their impact among species. Individual threats fall into the broad categories of angling, non-native species and genes, habitat loss and alteration, and climate change. Severity of each threat varies by DU and reflects the interaction between species’ biology and the location of the DU. Severity of threats facing each DU has changed over time, reflecting extirpation of native populations, changes in management and industry best practices, expansion of non-native species and progressing climate change. The overall threat impact for each DU indicates a high probability of substantial and continuing declines and calls for immediate action.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of burbot Lota lota in Germany: Implications for conservation and management

The genetic structure of the gadiform fish species, burbot Lota lota L., was investigated across Germany to derive management options for facilitating the preservation of genetic diversity. Sequence analysis of the mitochondrial control region (n = 244) and microsatellite analysis (n = 861) of specimens from 20 sites revealed genetic structuring between major river basins, and particularly between lake and river habitats. The admixture zone between the Eurasian and West European phylogenetic clades in Lake Constance was confirmed and expanded to include the drainage basins of the rivers Rhine and Schlei/Trave. Haplotype distribution and private haplotypes in single river basins indicated population differentiation and imply that German burbot constituted an important part of the entire species' diversity. The derived genetic structuring has implications for future stocking programmes and the preservation of the adaptive potential of burbot, a guiding species for oligotrophic lakes in Europe.     

混播比例和施氮肥对箭筈豌豆/燕麦草地根系特性的影响

豆科和禾本科牧草混播是栽培草地的重要模式之一,能显著改善土壤,提升系统可持续生产能力。牧草根系是土壤有机质返还的重要来源,但混播草地中牧草根系特性的变化尚不清楚。以箭筈豌豆和燕麦草地为对象,研究了不同施氮肥水平和混播比例下其根生物量、根性状的变化。结果表明:1)混播比例和施氮肥对草地根生物量和根性状有显著交互作用,混播草地根生物量显著大于单播;与高氮肥处理相比,根生物量在低、中氮肥处理下更高;高氮肥对根长、比根长、根表面积和比根面积在植物生长前期表现为抑制作用,在生长后期随混播中箭筈豌豆比例的增大,抑制作用减轻。2)混播条件下土壤硝态氮含量大于单播,而土壤铵态氮含量仅在乳熟期时大于单播,且随混播中箭筈豌豆比例增大,矿质氮含量增加;施氮肥对0~30 cm土层中的矿质氮含量有显著影响,其含量在施氮肥100 kg·hm^-2下最高,不施肥下最小。3)根生物量与土壤硝态氮含量间显著正相关,根长、根表面积、根体积与土壤硝态氮含量间显著负相关。综上,混播中箭筈豌豆比例的增加有助于改善土壤矿质氮,优化混播草地根性状。     

氮磷钾用量对小麦冠层不同层次光截获和干物质分配的影响

为明确不同氮、磷、钾用量对小麦冠层不同层次光截获和干物质分配的影响，以济麦22为供试材料，设置F0（不施肥）、F1（N 180 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 75 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 60 kg·hm^-2）、F2（N 225 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 120 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 105 kg·hm^-2）和F3（N 270 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 165 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 105 kg·hm^-2）4个施肥量处理，比较分析开花后不同氮、磷、钾用量对小麦叶面积指数、冠层不同层次光截获特性和成熟期干物质分配的影响。结果表明，F1处理下叶面积指数显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异；开花后15 d，F1处理下小麦冠层不同层次及总PAR截获率和截获量均显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异。F1处理下成熟期干物质在小麦冠层不同层次营养器官中的分配量、籽粒中的分配量及总干物质积累量显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异。成熟期干物质在小麦冠层不同层次营养器官和籽粒中的分配量以及总干物质积累量与冠层上层（顶部至株高2/3）、中层（株高2/3至株高1/3）和总PAR截获率均呈显著正相关。F1处理（N 180 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 75 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 60 kg·hm^-2）为本试验条件下的最优处理。     

Basal internode elongation of rice as affected by light intensity and leaf area

Short basal internodes are important for lodging resistance of rice(Oryza sativa L.).Several canopy indices affect the elongation of basal internodes,but uncertainty as to the key factors determining elongation of basal internodes persists.The objectives of this study were(1)to identify key factors affecting the elongation of basal internodes and(2)to establish a quantitative relationship between basal internode length and canopy indices.An inbred rice cultivar,Yinjingruanzhan,was grown in two split-plot field experiments with three N rates(0,75,and 150 kg N ha−1 in early season and 0,90,and 180 kg N ha−1 in late season)as main plots,three seedling densities(16.7,75.0,and 187.5 seedlings m−2)as subplots,and three replications in the 2015 early and late seasons in Guangzhou,China.Light intensity at base of canopy(Lb),light quality as determined from red/far-red light ratio(R/FR),light transmission ratio(LTR),leaf area index(LAI),leaf N concentration(NLV)and final length of second internode(counted from soil surface upward)(FIL)were recorded.Higher N rate and seedling density resulted in significantly longer FIL.FIL was negatively correlated with Lb,LTR,and R/FR(P<0.01)and positively correlated with LAI(P<0.01),but not correlated with NLV(P>0.05).Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that FIL was strongly associated with Lb and LAI(R2=0.82).Heavy N application to pot-grown rice at the beginning of first internode elongation did not change FIL.We conclude that FIL is determined mainly by Lb and LAI at jointing stage.NLV has no direct effect on the elongation of basal internodes.N application indirectly affects FIL by changing LAI and light conditions in the rice canopy.Reducing LAI and improving canopy light transmission at jointing stage can shorten the basal internodes and increase the lodging resistance of rice.     

Density-dependent effects on salmonid populations: A review

We reviewed 199 published data sets (21 species) to assess the relative frequency of various density-dependent processes in salmonids. We examined studies for the presence or absence of density-dependence: in growth, mortality, fecundity and recruitment. Based on data from all studies pooled 71% showed density-dependence in growth, 23% found density-dependence in mortality, 2% detected density-dependence in fecundity and 4% displayed density-dependence in recruitment. Most studies at the population level (e.g. changes in abundance or means of growth, mortality or fecundity) demonstrated density-dependence; however, these studies were not common, likely because they require long time series of data (at least 3–4 times mean generation time for the species). Our review indicated there was no evidence that the probability of finding density-dependent effects differed among the 21 species examined, but the number of studies per species varied substantially (5 [minimum for analysis] – 20+); hence, this finding should be viewed as tentative. Most salmonid species showed evidence of density-dependence in growth; however, few studies examined density-dependent effects on fecundity or recruitment, and further study is needed on these phenomena. There was no evidence that density-dependent effects were restricted to a particular habitat type or geographic region.     

Fishing efficiency of competitive largemouth bass tournament anglers has increased since early 21st century

Tournament fishing has risen in popularity over the last half a century. As such, social and financial incentives combined with technological advancements are expected to drive changes in angler's capacity to exploit tournament‐eligible fish stocks, as has been observed in commercial fisheries. The aim of this study was to quantify temporal trends in angler efficiency and their ability to exploit a given fish stock relative to effort in largemouth bass fishing tournaments. A collective analysis across seven Illinois reservoirs comparing change through time in angler catch rates and relative population abundances indicated that angler efficiency has generally improved through time. For the decade from 2005 to 2015, a greater than threefold increase in the efficiency of anglers to exploit a static population of largemouth bass was estimated. Anglers have become more efficient at exploiting populations, which is likely to influence management decisions in the future, particularly in harvest‐orientated fisheries and those reliant upon fishery‐dependent surveys.     

华北地区夏玉米生产中磷素利用特征研究

为评估当前中国华北地区夏玉米生产中的磷素利用效率和影响因素,促进磷肥资源高效利用和降低损失和污染,本研究通过收集1980年以来公开发表的夏玉米田间试验的文献,对华北地区夏玉米磷肥试验数据进行收集、整理和分析,获得了夏玉米的籽粒与秸秆产量及其比例,以及施磷量与籽粒和秸秆磷含量的关系模型。研究发现,随着施磷量的增加,土壤-夏玉米作物系统的磷素表观盈亏量呈线性增加,在施磷达到75 kg/hm ²时,磷素表观盈亏量为0。华北地区的夏玉米磷肥平均利用效率约为15%;增加氮肥施用量以及与磷合理配施有利于提高磷肥利用效率。整体上,夏玉米对磷酸二铵的利用效率高于过磷酸钙;有机肥和化肥配施可以有效提高磷肥利用效率。夏玉米‘天泰60’品种的磷肥利用效率最高。在华北地区夏玉米生产中,选用磷酸二铵以及适合的氮肥水平、有机肥与化肥配施,可以提高磷肥利用效率,降低磷肥损失和环境污染风险。     

机器学习及其在农业中应用研究的展望

机器学习是一种面向机器的数据分析方法,自动化机器学习的研究促进了人工智能的发展。大数据的快速积累,促进了机器学习算法的井喷式发展。如何选择合适的机器学习算法解决行业问题,成为了当前应用的难点。笔者整理了机器学习新材料,对各种机器算法的特点和算法之间的差异,进行了仔细的梳理,总结了各种算法的需求背景和优缺点,以及主要的应用场合。在此基础上,分析了机器学习在农业应用的案例,综述了机器学习在农业应用,指出了目前存在的发展瓶颈,并提出了进一步研究应用的建议。