Large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure in the longest tropical river in Asia

Although the Mekong River is one of the world's 35 biodiversity hot spots, the large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure remain poorly addressed. This study aimed to investigate the fish distribution patterns in the Lower Mekong River (LMR) and to identify their environmental determinants. Daily fish catch data (i.e. from December 2000 to November 2001) at 38 sites distributed along the LMR were related to 15 physicochemical and 19 climatic variables. As a result, four different clusters were defined according to the similarity in assemblage composition and 80 indicator species were identified. While fish species richness was highest in the Mekong delta and lowest in the upper part of the LMR, the diversity index was highest in the middle part of the LMR and lowest in the delta. We found that fish assemblages changed along the environmental gradients and that the main drivers affecting the fish assemblage structure were the seasonal variation of temperature, precipitation, dissolved oxygen, pH and total phosphorus. Specifically, upstream assemblages were characterised by cyprinids and Pangasius catfish, well suited to low temperature, high dissolved oxygen and high pH. Fish assemblages in the delta were dominated by perch‐like fish and clupeids, more tolerant to high temperatures, and high levels of nutrients (nitrates and total phosphorus) and salinity. Overall, the patterns were consistent between seasons. Our study contributes to establishing the first holistic fish community study in the LMR.     

Effects of Natural and Artificial Colorants on Hot Smoked Garfish—Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761)—Stored at 4 ± 1ºC

In this study, the effects of natural and artificial colorants on the shelf life of hot smoked garfish were investigated in terms of its chemical, microbiological, and sensory quality. Turmeric and Sunset Yellow FCF were used as the natural and artificial colorants, respectively. The amount of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA), counts of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, total psychrophilic aerobic bacteria, total yeast and molds increased during the storage (p < 0.05). The results showed that turmeric and Sunset Yellow FCF had a significant effect on pH value and salt content of hot smoked garfish samples during storage (p < 0.05). According to the sensory analysis results, the shelf life of hot smoked garfish stored at 4 ± 1ºC was determined as 17 days.     

Implications of piscine predator control on the federally listed fountain darter

One strategy for protecting the federally listed fountain darter, Etheostoma fonticola (Jordan & Gilbert), during low flow conditions is the removal of piscine carnivores [in this case, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède)]. However, headwater spring communities of the Comal and San Marcos rivers include another potential predator [red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard)]. Removal of piscine carnivores could produce cascading effects by increasing crayfish consumption of benthic fish. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if piscine carnivore removal will lessen predatory pressure or induce a trophic cascade with crayfish increasing and causing declines in fountain darter. The numbers of fountain darter consumed were quantified among three predator treatments (red swamp crayfish only, largemouth bass only and red swamp crayfish and largemouth bass combined) and vegetation treatments (vegetated and non‐vegetated) at three temperature regimes (18, 22, 27°C). Vegetation had no effect on fountain darter predation. Among temperature trials, largemouth bass only and red swamp crayfish and largemouth bass combined consumed similar numbers of fountain darter, and red swamp crayfish only consumed the least numbers of fountain darter, except at 22°C. Largemouth bass did not consume more red swamp crayfish than fountain darter. Therefore, largemouth bass removal appears to be a viable option for reducing fountain darter predation during periods of low flow.     

用综合污染指数法分析评价黄河陕西段的水环境

2013年-2015年,逐月监测分析了黄河陕西段府谷、吴堡、龙门、洽川、港口、汾河入黄口和渭河入黄口7个段面22项水质指标,并用综合污染指数法进行评价。结果显示:黄河陕西段处于4级中度污染水平,5级较重污染段面汾河入黄口(P=9.26)1个,其余6个段面处于4级中度污染水平(2.04≤P≤4.67)。主要污染物为总氮、总磷和有机物,部分段面还受到重金属汞、砷、铜、锌的影响,所有段面未受有机氯和有机磷的污染。同期断面比较,上游污染轻于下游,污染逐年下降。     

Influences of sand cover on erosion processes of loess slopes based on rainfall simulation experiments

Aeolian-fluvial interplay erosion regions are subject to intense soil erosion and are of particular concern in loess areas of northwestern China.Understanding the composition,distribution,and transport processes of eroded sediments in these regions is of considerable scientific significance for controlling soil erosion.In this study,based on laboratory rainfall simulation experiments,we analyzed rainfall-induced erosion processes on sand-covered loess slopes(SS)with different sand cover patterns(including length and thickness)and uncovered loess slopes(LS)to investigate the influences of sand cover on erosion processes of loess slopes in case regions of aeolian-fluvial erosion.The grain-size curves of eroded sediments were fitted using the Weibull function.Compositions of eroded sediments under different sand cover patterns and rainfall intensities were analyzed to explore sediment transport modes of SS.The influences of sand cover amount and pattern on erosion processes of loess slopes were also discussed.The results show that sand cover on loess slopes influences the proportion of loess erosion and that the compositions of eroded sediments vary between SS and LS.Sand cover on loess slopes transforms silt erosion into sand erosion by reducing splash erosion and changing the rainfall-induced erosion processes.The percentage of eroded sand from SS in the early stage of runoff and sediment generation is always higher than that in the late stage.Sand cover on loess slopes aggravates loess erosion,not only by adding sand as additional eroded sediments but also by increasing the amount of eroded loess,compared with the loess slopes without sand cover.The influence of sand cover pattern on runoff yield and the amount of eroded sediments is larger than that of sand cover amount.Furthermore,given the same sand cover pattern,a thicker sand cover could increase sand erosion while a thinner sand cover could aggravate loess erosion.This difference explains the existence of intense erosion on slopes that are thinly covered with sand in regions where aeolian erosion and fluvial erosion interact.     

Projections of temperature extremes based on preferred CMIP5 models:a case study in the Kaidu-Kongqi River basin in Northwest China

The extreme temperature has more outstanding impact on ecology and water resources in arid regions than the average temperature. Using the downscaled daily temperature data from 21 Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project(CMIP) models of NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections(NEX-GDDP) and the observation data, this paper analyzed the changes in temporal and spatiotemporal variation of temperature extremes, i.e., the maximum temperature(Tmax) and minimum temperature(Tmin), in the Kaidu-Kongqi River basin in Northwest China over the period 2020–2050 based on the evaluation of preferred Multi-Model Ensemble(MME). Results showed that the Partial Least Square ensemble mean participated by Preferred Models(PM-PLS) was better representing the temporal change and spatial distribution of temperature extremes during 1961–2005 and was chosen to project the future change. In 2020–2050, the increasing rate of Tmax(Tmin) under RCP(Representative Concentration Pathway) 8.5 will be 2.0(1.6) times that under RCP4.5, and that of Tmin will be larger than that of Tmax under each corresponding RCP. Tmin will keep contributing more to global warming than Tmax. The spatial distribution characteristics of Tmax and Tmin under the two RCPs will overall the same; but compared to the baseline period(1986–2005), the increments of Tmax and Tmin in plain area will be larger than those in mountainous area. With the emission concentration increased, however, the response of Tmax in mountainous area will be more sensitive than that in plain area, and that of Tmin will be equivalently sensitive in mountainous area and plain area. The impacts induced by Tmin will be universal and farreaching. Results of spatiotemporal variation of temperature extremes indicate that large increases in the magnitude of warming in the basin may occur in the future. The projections can provide the scientific basis for water and land plan management and disaster prevention and mitigation in the inland river basin.     

基于SD变化环境下农业水资源供需平衡模拟

为了探讨变化环境对农业水资源供需平衡的影响,运用系统动力学软件Vensim-Dss建立了农业水资源供需平衡的系统动力学模型,综合考虑社会经济发展和气候变化情景,仿真模拟了变化环境下农业供、需水量及缺水量的变化情况.石羊河流域模拟结果表明:未来农业供水量和需水量受气候变化的影响程度不同,但 2033年以后,农业供水量在不同气候变化情景下的变化趋势相同;不同行政区农业水资源系统对气候变化的响应存在明显差异,金昌市A2气候情境缺水率大于B2情景,在2029年、2038年缺水率分别达到32.0%,28.6%, B2情境下,2021年开始出现轻度缺水,中度缺水年仅出现在2023年和2039年,缺水率分别为30.7%,30.5%;武威市A2气候情境下缺水率小于B2情景,仅2038年为中度缺水,缺水率为24.9%,B2气候情景中度缺水年较多,2023年缺水率最大,达到33.2%.研究结果可以对变化环境下区域用水规划和农业发展规划提供指导.     

明清时期西辽河地区农业开发的动力与制约因素

在辽金元农业开发的基础上,明清时期西辽河地区农业开发取得了很大进步。农业发展有利于维护西辽河地区乃至边疆地区的稳定,良好的农业开发环境促进了西辽河地区经济繁荣。明清两代非常重视农业,大力支持西辽河地区的农业开发,给予西辽河地区农业生产资料,加之其他政策的实行、农业生产技术的传授、高产耐旱粮食作物的栽培和驿站、桥梁的建设等,使西辽河地区的农业开发成果颇丰,至清代更加显著。自然灾害等成为制约农业开发的主要因素。本文在前人研究的基础上,对西辽河地区农业开发的动力与制约因素做出了进一步讨论。     

黄河源区"黑土滩"退化草地群落类型多样性及其群落结构研究

调查了黄河源区高寒草甸极度退化产物“黑土滩”植被群落类型多样性及其群落结构特征。结果表明,分布在黄河源区高寒草甸上的“黑土滩”草地植被可分为7个类型,分别为:黄帚橐吾 铁棒棰群落、白苞筋骨草群落、铁棒棰群落、西伯利亚蓼 鹅绒委陵菜群落、摩苓草群落、甘青微孔草群落和甘肃马先蒿群落。从群落结构和已有的研究结果看,黄河源区所有类型的“黑土滩”草地都完全失去了牧用价值,短期内自然恢复的物质基础也已丧失,该类草地的恢复治理必须通过人工植被的重建来实现。     

滦河水混凝特性的试验研究

针对滦河水的水质特点 ,分三个水质时期分别进行了混凝小试、不同预处理条件下的中试试验 ,以运行成本、处理水质为前提 ,得出了不同水质时期的建议处理方式 :低温低浊期、常温常浊期采用预加氯工艺 ,高温高藻期使用预臭氧+活性炭工艺.