Field compaction at different soil-water status: effects on pore size distribution and soil water characteristics of a Rhodic Ferralsol in Western Cuba

The level of compaction induced on cultivated fields through trafficking is strongly influenced by the prevailing soil-water status and, depending on the attendant soil degradation, vital soil hydraulic processes could be affected. Therefore, understanding the relationship between field soil-water status and the corresponding level of induced compaction for a given load is considered an imperative step toward a better control of the occurrence of traffic-induced field soil compaction. Pore size distribution, a fundamental and highly degradable soil property, was measured in a Rhodic Ferralsol, the most productive and extensively distributed soil in Western Cuba, to study the effects of three levels of soil compaction on soil water characteristic parameters. Soil bulk density and cone penetration index were used to measure compaction levels established by seven passes of a 10 Mg tractor at three soil-water statuses corresponding to the plastic (Fs), friable (Fc) and relatively dry soil (Ds) consistency states. Pore size distribution calculated from soil water characteristic curves was classified into three pore size categories on the basis of their hydraulic functioning: >50 μm (f_>50 μm), 50–0.5 μm (f_{50–0.5 μm}) and <0.5 μm (f_<0.5 μm). The greatest compaction levels were attained in the Fs and Fc soil water treatments, and a significant contribution to compaction was attributed to the existing soil water states under which the soil compaction was accomplished. Average cone index (CI) values in the range of 2.93–3.70 MPa reflected the accumulation of f_<0.5 μm pores, and incurred severe reductions in the volume of f_>50 μm pores in the Fs and Fc treatments, while an average CI value of 1.69 MPa indicated increments in the volume of f_{50–0.5 μm} in the Ds treatment. Despite the differential effects of soil compaction on the distribution of the different pore size categories, soil total porosity (f_Total) was not effective in reflecting treatment effects. Soil water desorption at the soil water potentials evaluated (0.0 to −15,000 cm H₂O) was adversely affected in the f_<0.5 μm dominated treatments; strong soil water retention was observed with the predominance of f_<0.5 μm, as was confirmed by the high water content at plant wilting point. Based on these findings, the use of field capacity water content as the upper limit of plant available soil water was therefore considered inappropriate for compacted soils.     

Status and distribution of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus on the Cabo Blanco peninsula (Western Sahara-Mauritania) in 1993–1994

The current geographical distribution of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus colony inhabiting the Cabo Blanco peninsula (Western Sahara-Mauritania) is described. Its distribution range has apparently not changed since surveys conducted in 1984–1988. Sightings of adults on the Tarf el Guerguerat coast, 20 km north of the known breeding caves, suggests the existence of other possible breeding groups further north. Two caves used by the seals are described for the first time. A review of historical trends in cave occupation by seals made it possible (1) to locate the so-called ‘maternity cave’, last reported in 1949; and (2) to establish that the colony, since its discovery, has occupied at least eight caves, five of which have collapsed. An index of population size based on counts of individuals of identified morphological types indicates that, during 1993–1994, the colony was composed of c.113–165 individuals (excluding pups), a larger number than previously assumed. Counting of seals at times of maximum haul-out is proposed as a tool to monitor population trends, although it is considered unreliable for estimating absolute numbers.     

Lakeshore diversity and rarity relationships along interacting disturbance gradients: catchment area, wave action and depth

Diversity patterns of riparian plant communities have been associated with disturbance. Populations of a diversity of Atlantic Coastal Plain plants occur as disjuncts on shores of large catchment area lakes in Nova Scotia. These lakeshore communities contain rare plants with local, national and global rankings. The populations of rare plants are dynamic and their management requires an understanding of the relationship between disturbance and the survival of rare plants. This present study measured (overwinter wooden dowel removal) and observed disturbance along gradients of catchment area (CA), exposure and depth. In three separate experiments ranging from the landscape to the lake, to the single shoreline level, disturbance was linked to lake CA, exposure and depth, respectively. At all scales, disturbance was positively associated with the presence of rare species. The pattern of rare species richness over the river system was complex; at the within-lake level, the frequency of rare species per site was greatest in the intermediate CA lake while the pool of rare species was greatest in the largest CA lake. The findings focus field efforts on wide, exposed shorelines of large CA lakes where new rare plants continue to be discovered. In addition, the discrepancy between highest frequency of rare plants on intermediate CA lakes and highest species pools of rarities on large CA lakes, reinforces the need for larger protected area systems for the most naturally disturbed ecosystems which often support populations having a high turnover rate but a low site to site frequency.     

西方经济学多元化教学改革模式初探

随着社会改革和经济社会转型的不断深入,普通高校中西方经济学的教学工作正面临着一个重要的历史命题———如何对教学工作和教学模式进行改革,使其适应时代发展的需要,为社会提供适合社会要求的智力资源。本文以此为契机,对西方经济学多元化教学模式的改革问题进行了研究。旨在通过本文的工作,为西方经济学的教学工作提供一定的思想借鉴。     

西文配套辅导书的著录问题探析

西文配套辅导书著录信息源情况复杂,是西文图书编目的一大难点。通过实例对西文配套书著录中易出现的问题进行探讨,并提出了西文配套书正确著录的方法。     

从典型案例影射的中原地区碉楼类民居的抗震价值

通过对中原地区古民居的调研,选取几个典型古民居作为案例,结合碉楼民居特点,对其特征进行细致分析。为了合理诠释中原地区碉楼类民居的抗震价值,基于构造视角,从平面形式、结构布置和抗震构造措施的角度入手,归纳出该类民居的抗震结构特征:①平面形式为塔形;②平面和立面布局规整、均匀;③墙体高厚比合理,门窗洞口少而小;④墙体中设置有拉结石,起到类似拉结钢筋、圈梁和构造柱的作用。     

Notes on the Bathypelagic Fauna of the Seas Around South Africa

The preliminary results of a study of the endemic giant tortoise population of Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean (Geochehne gigantea Schweigger) are briefly described. Their number would appear to have increased dramatically since the turn of the century to their present level of some 141 000 individuals. Crude estimates of mortality and reproductive rates are also given.     

关于启动民间投资加快西部开发的思考

西部开发是一项世纪性的事关全局的战略决策 ,从西部地区经济落后的原因分析入手 ,阐明了民间投资在西部开发中的作用 ,并对西部地区引进民间资本的可行性进行了论证     

施用生物炭对华北平原冬小麦土壤水分和籽粒产量的影响

为探究施用生物炭对华北平原农田土壤水分和冬小麦籽粒产量的影响,于2014—2017年在中国农业大学吴桥实验站设置施用生物炭7 200(BH)、3 600(BM)、1 800(BL)和0kg/hm~2(CK)4个处理。结果表明:与CK处理相比,BH、BM和BL处理3年平均增产分别为1.84%、7.28%和5.03%,并且降低了耗水量,水分利用效率分别提高5.96%～14.86%、9.42%～19.18%和5.96%～13.50%。同时施用生物炭增加了土壤含水量,与CK处理相比,土壤上层0～60cm BM处理增幅最大;中层60～120cm和下层120～200cm均为BL处理增幅最大(P0.05)。综上所述,施用生物炭可以增加土壤含水量和籽粒产量。统计分析表明,当施炭量分别为3 389～3 882和3 500～4 357kg/hm~2,0～60cm土层土壤含水量和籽粒产量均最高,且0～60cm土层土壤含水量与籽粒产量间存在显著的正相关关系(P0.05)。因此,施用生物炭可以增加土壤含水量,降低水分消耗,提高冬小麦籽粒产量和水分利用效率,在本试验条件下以施用3 000～4 500kg/hm~2为宜。     

银川平原草甸湿地土壤分形特征

【目的】探究银川平原草甸湿地土壤的分形特征、粒径分布特点以及它们在土壤垂直剖面上的变 化规律,并对研究区土壤分形维数与植物群落多样性的关系做初步探索。【方法】以银川平原草甸湿地的土壤 为研究对象,利用水分和盐分差异将研究区分为低湿草甸、典型草甸和盐生草甸 3 种生境,采用粒径质量分布 表征土壤的分形特征,选用 Simpson 物种优势度指数、Shannon-Weiner 物种多样性指数、Margalef 物种丰富度指 数和 Pielou 物种均匀度指数作为植物的多样性指数,进行对比研究。【结果】银川平原草甸湿地土壤以粘粒的 微团聚体为主,分形维数值趋于 2.28~2.84;3 种草甸湿地的土壤分形维数存在显著差异,表现为典型草甸（2.74） ＞盐生草甸（2.72）＞低湿草甸（2.66）;土壤分形维数与粘粒含量呈极显著正相关,与极细砂粒和细砂粒含量 呈极显著负相关;土壤垂直剖面上表层粘粒和粉粒含量较高,深层极细砂粒和细砂粒含量较高,中砂粒波动较大, 粗砂粒仅出现在表层或深层;低湿草甸的植物群落物种多样性较高,多样性指数平均值达 1.15。【结论】银川 平原草甸湿地土壤粒径和分形特点受局部地形环境的水文关系影响较明显;水土过程对植物群落物种多样性产 生直接影响,土壤物理结构对植物群落物种多样性起间接驱动作用,同时人为因素起着至关重要的作用。