Tracing Pb Pollution Penetration in Temperate Podzols

We combine high‐resolution soil sampling with lead (Pb) analyses (concentrations and stable isotopes) in two temperate podzols, together with previous data obtained with selective Al and Fe dissolution techniques. We aim to assess how atmospheric Pb is incorporated into the soils during pedogenesis. Partial least squares modelling for Pb concentrations shows that the podzolization process has the largest effect on Pb concentration (80·3% of the variance). The proportion of inorganic secondary compounds, the input of fresh organic matter from the soil surface and the relative abundance of Fe versus Al are responsible for a small part of the Pb concentration variance. Lead isotopic composition (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios) depends on soil organic matter content either fresh/poorly humified (57·3% of the variance) or humified (24·7% of the variance). The Pb linked to inorganic compounds and the overall podzolization process play a minor role in isotopic signature (5·3 and 3·7% of the variance respectively). Soil pH appears to be the controlling variable of the different transport and retention mechanisms. The relatively low isotopic ratios observed in spodic horizons result from geogenic Pb released through the preferential dissolution of the isotopically distinct most weatherable minerals of the parent material in the eluvial horizons, which undergoes downward mobilization. An accurate knowledge of soil reactive components and formation mechanisms is essential to a correct diagnose of the scope of Pb pollution and a more effective design of remediation strategies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Important considerations in the analysis of generation means

Summary The weighted least squares (WLS) procedure has been widely used in the analysis of generation means in biometrical genetics. Two methods to carry out the analysis have been presented in the literature (Mather & Jinks, 1971; Rowe & Alexander, 1980). Neither method identified the factors that need to be taken into account when deciding which procedure to use. This paper examines the fitting of the additive-dominance model using the general principles of least squares analysis and presents the statistical basis of each procedure. Mather & Jink's method, which is more realistic according to genetic theory, is based on the assumption that the populations have nonhomogeneous variances. Rowe & Alexander's method is based on the assumption that the populations have homogeneous variances. In the latter case, there is actually no need to do a WLS analysis. The ordinary least square analysis using the original observations rather than the means, will produce the regression parameter estimates.     

Improvement and Application on Back Propagation Network Based on Partial Least-squares Algorithm

This paper proposes a novel BP network model based on nonlinear iterative partial least-squares algorithm which can fit nonlinear data. The novel BP network model can reduce iterative step number and advance learning effieieney. This paper pretreats data by nonlinear iterative partial least-squares algorithms. The weights initialization of input floor and output floor are set by applying the loading weights of dependent variable and cause variable, the member of hidden nodes are set by applying factor numbers of nonlinear iterative partial leastsquares algorithm, the connection co- efficient is set by applying the connection matrix B. Performances of the BP, PLS, and PLS-BP are analyzed and compared. The results show that the PLS-BP has better fitting and forecasting than BP and PLS.     

Estimation of genetic variance components and heritabilities for cut-flower yield in gerbera using least squares and maximum likelihood methods

Summary Genetic variance components and heritability were estimated for cut-flower yield of gerbera in the Davis population using ordinary least squares and maximum likelihood methods. The overall estimate of narrow-sense heritability is 0.33 based on least squares (LS) and 0.31 based on maximum likelihood (ML). The results of the study indicate that (1) ML and LS provide very similar results if sample size is large enough, suggesting both are useful for plant breeding programs; (2) about one third of the variation in gerbera cut-flower yield is additive, implying selection in cut-flower will be successful; and (3) although additive variation gradually decreased, heritability remained near 0.27 suggesting there is still potential variation in the population for further selection.     

粮仓温度场数学模型研究

粮仓温度的传统测试方法存在硬件结构复杂、电气元件过多,可靠性低等缺点。本文根据测量得到的有限个典型的离散温度数据,利用最小二乘法拟合出粮仓温度在其空间坐标上的分布函数,从而可以较精确地估计粮仓内任一点的温度值,大大节约了硬件资源,方便了测量工作。     

喀斯特小流域土壤饱和导水率垂直分布特征

土壤剖面饱和导水率(Saturated hydraulic conductivity,Ks)的垂直分布对土壤水文过程有极其重要的影响,但在地质背景特殊的喀斯特地区其研究还相对匮乏。通过测定典型喀斯特小流域内23个土壤剖面(0~10、10~20、20~30、30~50、50~70、70~100 cm)土壤Ks及土壤碎石含量(Rock fragment content,RC)、容重(Bulk density,BD)、毛管孔隙度(Capillary porosity,CP)、非毛管孔隙度(Non-capillary porosity,NCP)、土壤有机碳(Soil organic carbon,SOC)等土壤性质,并结合各样点的坡位(Slope position,SP)、坡度(Slope gradient,SG)、坡向(Slope aspect,SA)、裸岩率(Bare rock,BR)、土地利用类型(Land-use type,LU)等环境因素,应用偏相关分析和典范对应分析(CCA)的方法,研究了喀斯特小流域Ks的垂直分布特征及其主要影响因素。结果表明,Ks随土壤深度的增加而减小并可用对数函数模拟(R2=0.848)。20~100 cm各层Ks变幅较小且变异接近,因此在水文模型中可用20~30 cm土壤Ks代替深层。土壤性质中,RC与Ks的相关系数(0.484)最大。环境因素对Ks垂直分布的影响依次为SPSGSALUBR。由此可知,RC是影响Ks最重要的土壤性质,而SP则是影响Ks垂直分布最重要的环境因素。该结果有利于弄清喀斯特地区降雨入渗规律及其主要影响因素,为小流域植被恢复及水文模型的构建提供科学依据。     

Breeding bird response to partially harvested riparian management zones

We compared avian communities among three timber harvesting treatments in 45-m wide even-age riparian management zones (RMZs) placed between upland clearcuts and along one side of first- or second-order streams in northern Minnesota, USA. The RMZs had three treatments: (1) unharvested, (2) intermediate residual basal area (RBA) (targeted goal 11.5 m²/ha, realized 16.0 m²/ha), and (3) low RBA (targeted goal 5.7 m²/ha, realized 8.7 m²/ha). Surveys were conducted one year pre-harvest and three consecutive years post-harvest. There was no change in species richness, diversity, or total abundance associated with harvest but there were shifts in the types of birds within the community. In particular, White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) and Chestnut-sided Warblers (Dendroica pensylvanica) increased while Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) and Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) decreased. The decline of avian species associated with mature forest in the partially harvested treatments relative to controls indicates that maintaining an unharvested RMZ adjacent to an upland harvest may aid in maintaining avian species associated mature forest in Minnesota for at least three years post-harvest. However, our observations do not reflect reproductive success, which is an area for future research.     

Management strategies to increase stand structural diversity and enhance biodiversity in coastal rainforests of Alaska

Coastal rainforests of southeast Alaska have relatively simple species composition but complex structures with high diversity of tree ages, sizes and forest canopy layers, and an abundant understory plant community. Wildlife and fisheries resources also play an important role in the ecological functioning of forest and aquatic systems. Clearcutting has greatly altered these forest ecosystems with significant decreases in structural diversity of forest stands and greatly reduced wildlife habitat. This paper synthesizes information on management options in older forests that have never been actively managed, and in younger forests to increase diversity of stand structures and their associated effects on biodiversity. Light to moderate levels of partial cutting in old-growth forests can maintain the original diversity of overstory stand structures and understory plant communities. In younger forests that develop after clearcutting, mixed alder-conifer stands provide more heterogeneous structures and significantly higher understory biomass than in pure conifer forests. Research has shown that red alder increases diversity and abundance of understory plants, and provides forage for deer and small mammals. Results also show a clear linkage between alder and improved invertebrate diversity in aquatic systems. A combination of light partial cutting in older forests along with inclusion of red alder in conifer-dominated forests could provide the greatest amount of diversity and maintain the complex stand structures that are an important component of these forest ecosystems.     

运用PLS算法由HJ-1A/1B遥感影像估测区域小麦实际单产

为进一步提高遥感估产精度,显示国产影像在农业估产中的应用效果。该研究以2010-2013年HJ-1A/1B影像为遥感数据,分析了卫星遥感变量与小麦实际单产的定量关系,运用偏最小二乘回归算法构建及验证了以实际单产为目标的多变量遥感估产模型,并制作了小麦实际单产空间等级分布图。研究表明:实际单产与所选用的大多数遥感变量间关系密切,且多数遥感变量两两间具有严重的多重相关关系;实际单产偏最小二乘回归模型的最佳主成分为5,且植被衰减指数、绿色归一化植被指数、调整土壤亮度的植被指数、比值植被指数和归一化植被指数为实际单产遥感估测的敏感变量;建模集和验证集实际单产估测模型的决定系数分别为0.74和0.70,均方根误差分别为754.05和748.20 kg/hm2,相对误差分别为11.5%和8.88%,且估测精度比线性回归算法分别提高20%以上和40%以上,比主成分分析算法分别提高18%以上和30%以上,说明偏最小二乘回归算法模型估测区域实际单产的效果要明显好于线性回归和主成分分析算法,该模型应用结果与小麦实际单产区域分布情况相符合,为提高区域小麦实际单产的遥感估测精度提供了一种途径。