Formation of Biogenic Amines and Associated Biochemical and Microbial Attributes of Whole Sutchi Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) during Iced Storage

Sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a highly preferred farmed species that is produced in huge quantities. Meat from ice-stored (4 ± 2°C) whole Sutchi catfish was evaluated for formation of biogenic amines, such as putrescine, cadaverine, histamine (HIM), agmatine, tyramine, spermine, and spermidine, and compared with biochemical, microbial, and sensory attributes during 22 days. Analysis of content of biogenic amines in the meat was carried out by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry using a without derivatization method. Three amines, namely, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine, were only present on 0^th day of storage. Presence of cadaverine was noticed from 9^th day onwards, where the aerobic plate count (APC) reached 4.85 log CFU/g. Putrescine was detected on the 22^nd day of storage, where the APC crossed 7 log CFU/g. HIM was detected in lower quantities from 3^rd day onwards. A shelf life of 15 days was determined based on sensory and microbiological evaluation. Although the samples were biochemically acceptable throughout the storage period, APC exceeded the limit on day 19, and the gradual increase of H₂S-producing bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, Aeromonas, and Enterobacteriaceae, was observed during storage.     

Organic matter derived from kelp supports a large proportion of biomass in temperate rocky reef fish communities: Implications for ecosystem‐based management

1. The relative availability of alternative organic matter sources directly influences trophic interactions within ecological communities. As differences in trophic ecology can alter the productivity of communities, understanding spatial variability in trophic structure, and the drivers of variability, is vital for implementing effective ecosystem‐based management.
2. Bulk stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and mass balance calculations were used to examine patterns in the contribution of organic matter derived from macroalgae to food webs supporting temperate reef fish communities in two contrasting coastal waterways on the South Island of New Zealand: Fiordland and the Marlborough Sounds. Ten fish species common to both regions were compared, with up to 40% less organic matter from macroalgae supporting omnivorous species in the Marlborough Sounds. The largest differences in trophic position were found in those species exploited by fisheries.
3. Furthermore, stratified surveys of abundance and species biomass combined with trophic position data were used to calculate regional differences in the contribution of macroalgae to whole fish communities in terms of density of biomass. In Fiordland, over 77% of the biomass of exploited reef fishes was supported by macroalgae, compared with 31% in the Marlborough Sounds.
4. Surveys of macroalgal density and species composition in the two regions indicated that regional differences in trophodynamics may be explained by a lack of macroalgal inputs to the food web in the Marlborough Sounds.
5. The findings demonstrate large regional differences in the incorporation of benthic and pelagic sources of organic matter to food webs supporting reef fish communities, highlighting the need for ecosystem‐based approaches to management to recognize spatial variability in primary production supporting coastal food webs.

     

Microtopographic structures facilitate plant recruitment across a saltmarsh tidal gradient

1. It is well known that establishment limitation is stronger than seed limitation in aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, it seems crucial during the recruitment recovery process to overcome this establishment limitation on bare or degraded patches.
2. Microtopographic structures have been shown to act as trap agents in saltmarshes. They can facilitate establishment, but this effect has not been quantitatively examined and assessed. This study examined the facilitative effect of microtopographic structures on plant recruitment in a dynamic saltmarsh system by conducting a series of field experiments along a saltmarsh tidal gradient.
3. A simple plant life‐cycle model was used to evaluate the dynamics of the plant recruitment process facilitated by microtopographic structure and the importance of each life stage. The influence of abiotic factors on each life stage was also assessed, to identify the determinants during the life history.
4. It was revealed that seed retention was the limiting factor in a bare saltmarsh area, rather than seed dispersal. Microtopographic structures can provide trap agents to facilitate seed anchorage. During seed retention, the stability of the microtopographic structure, especially its relative surface elevation difference, can be influenced by tidal events and the associated sediment process, which then affects seed retention efficiency.
5. Microtopographic structure has a strong environmental filtering effect that can revise the potential dispersed seed and emergence patterns, and the determinant of the final establishment pattern along a tidal gradient is the retention pattern resulting from the interactions between microtopographic structures and tidal events.
6. Furthermore, it can be designed into the early stage of recovery or restoration process so that it facilitates pioneer plant establishment. These early recruitment patches will speed up the recovery or succession process by (1) providing local seed sources, (2) retaining more seeds via the established vegetative structures, and (3) modifying microhabitat factors.

     

Understanding the life histories of amphidromous fish by integrating otolith‐derived growth reconstructions,post‐larval migrations and reproductive traits

1. Amphidromy is the most prevalent type of diadromous migration. Despite this, the conservation and management of amphidromous species is exceptionally challenging because this life history type, with larval development in a pelagic habitat (usually marine) and adult development in fresh water, is poorly resolved.
2. The chronological properties of otoliths, together with a spatial and temporal analysis of post‐larval migration traits and adult reproductive traits, were used to reconstruct the life history of a widespread, yet declining amphidromous galaxiid, Galaxias maculatus, and to explore relationships between marine and freshwater life phases.
3. A wide range of post‐larval migration traits were observed over the peak migratory period. Post‐larvae were smaller and younger at inward migration late in the migration season (November) and were derived from winter spawning events. Earlier migrants (September) were larger, older and derived from autumn spawning events.
4. Age estimates confirmed that G. maculatus is largely an annual species, but back‐calculated hatch dates showed that spawning times are more extensive than previously known.
5. Growth reconstructions revealed that winter‐hatched larvae were faster growing during marine and freshwater life and attained sexual maturity at a younger age than autumn‐hatched fish. However, no differences in body size or reproductive investment were detected between autumn‐ and winter‐hatched larvae.
6. The first 50 days of marine growth were inter‐dependent, indicating that early larval growth may be the critical link to understanding intra‐ and inter‐annual recruitment variations of inward migrating post‐larvae. Furthermore, growth after 60 days of larval life propagated through to adult freshwater development, highlighting linkages between late marine and adult freshwater life.
7. This study highlights the value of studying the marine and freshwater life phases of amphidromous species in tandem. This interconnected understanding must ultimately be achieved for the conservation and management of species with this poorly understood life history type.

     

Multi‐decadal climate and fishing predictors of abundance for U.S. South Atlantic coastal fishes and invertebrates

Abundance of marine stocks fluctuates in response to both internal processes (e.g., density dependence) and exogenous drivers, including the physical environment, fishing, and trophodynamic interactions. In the United States, research investigating ecosystem drivers has been focused in data‐rich systems, primarily in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. To develop a more holistic understanding of important ecosystem drivers in the Southeast U.S. continental shelf Large Marine Ecosystem, we applied generalized linear and dynamic linear modeling to investigate the effects of climate and fishing covariates on the relative abundance trends of 71 demersal fish and invertebrate species sampled by a coastal trawl survey during 1990–2013. For the assemblage as a whole, fishing effects predominated over climate effects. In particular, changes in trawling effort within the penaeid shrimp fishery governed abundance trends of bony fishes, invertebrates, and elasmobranchs, a likely result of temporal changes in bycatch mortality. Changes in trawling intensity induced changes in overall community composition and appear to have altered trophic interactions among particular species. Among climate indices investigated, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Western Bermuda High Index were most prevalent in well‐supported dynamic linear models. Observed annual abundance trends were synchronous among some taxonomically related species, highlighting similar responses to exogenous influences based on life history. This study strengthens the foundation for generating hypotheses and advancing ecosystem‐based fisheries research within the region.     

河套灌区套种模式下综合作物系数的试验研究

依据FAO56作物需水量指南提供的作物系数计算方法,分别计算了内蒙古河套灌区磴口试验站小麦套种覆膜玉米、小麦套种未覆膜玉米、小麦套种油料向日葵3种套种模式下的综合单、双值作物系数。结果表明,3种套种模式下的作物在全生育期内均可迎来2次综合需水高峰;共生阶段的作物系数,单值方法高于双值方法的计算结果,而单一作物独立生长阶段,双值方法高于单值方法的计算结果;无论单值计算还是双值计算的套种作物田间综合ET,当单一作物处于独立生长期时差别不大,而2种作物共同生育阶段的差别较大;将3种作物在套种模式下的生育阶段划分的更加详细并分别命名,为套种模式下作物蒸散量提供更准确的计算依据。     

骑跨式机架的随机振动疲劳分析

为了提高矮化密植红枣收获机的工作性能,以骑跨式机架为研究对象,建立有限元模型。对机架进行模态分析,得出机架的固有频率与振型,并与各激励频率范围比较,可知机架的固有频率仍在发动机的激振频率范围之内。为避免机架产生共振,在发动机安装位置添加弹性元件,对机架采用减振方案的谐响应分析,计算得出应力、变形量变化曲线。结合机架结构材料的S-N曲线和线性累积损伤理论,对机架进行疲劳分析,验证机架的可靠性。研究结果表明:减振方案的谐响应分析使机架的最大变形量由2.977mm变到0.358mm,减小了87.974%,明显改善了机架的振动特性;在激振载荷的作用下对添加减振元件前后的机架分别计算疲劳寿命,得出添加减振元件后机架的疲劳寿命为1.84×10~8次,高于1.0×10~6次,满足机架疲劳强度设计要求。     

Using ecological indicators in the context of an ecosystem approach to fisheries for data-limited fisheries

The tenets of ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) now occupy centre stage in our efforts to maintain the sustainability of fisheries and rebuild marine ecosystems. The paper discusses how an EAF can be adopted for data limited fisheries and uses the northern South China Sea fishery as an example to demonstrate the selection and use of indicators for determining the states of the fishery and its relevant ecosystem to provide advice on management. Implementing EAF management requires indicators and models that address the impact of fishing across entire ecological communities and determine management actions to be taken to achieve the preset objectives according to decision rules. Data limited fisheries necessarily have limited resources for data collection and scientific studies and therefore could not support complex models. To overcome the data limitation and absence of modelling support, simple indicators have to be used to assess the current state and monitor changes of the fishery and its ecosystem. Such indicators should: (1) be observable and understandable by all stakeholders, (2) be based on easily obtainable and reliable data, (3) adequately reflect the condition of the resource, and (4) have associated reference values and responsive management measures. The paper also reviews the recent development and use of indicators and harvest strategies in both conventional and EAF management to better understand the differences and to shed light on the challenges of EAF, in particular for data limited fisheries.     

Environmental performances of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) cultivated in fertile and marginal lands: A case study in the Mediterranean

Perennial rhizomatous grasses (PRGs) tend to have a high yield combined with a low environmental impact. Cultivation in marginal or poorly cultivated land is recommended in order not to compromise food security and to overcome land use controversies. However, the environmental impacts of using different types of soil are still unclear. We thus assessed the environmental impact of two giant reed (GR) systems cultivated in a fertile soil (FS) and in a marginal soil (MS) through a cradle-to-plant gate LCA. We analyzed energy balance, GHG emissions (including LUC, not including iLUC), and the main impacts on air, water and soil quality. In both systems the annualized soil carbon sequestration was more than twofold the total GHG emitted, equal to −6464 kg CO₂eq ha⁻¹ in FS and −5757 kg CO₂eq ha⁻¹ in MS. Overall, soil characteristics affected not only GR yield level, but also its environmental impact, which seems to be higher in the MS system both on a hectare and tonne basis. The production of GR biomass in marginal soil could thus lead to higher environmental impacts and a more extensive land requirement.     

Effects of different soil conservation tillage approaches on soil nutrients,water use and wheat-maize yield in rainfed dry-land regions of North China

Excessive tillage compromises soil quality by causing severe water shortages that can lead to crop failure. Reports on the effects of conservation tillage on major soil nutrients, water use efficiency and gain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) in rainfed regions in the North China Plain are relatively scarce. In this work, four tillage approaches were tested from 2004 to 2012 in a randomized study performed in triplicate: one conventional tillage and three conservation tillage experiments with straw mulching (no tillage during wheat and maize seasons, subsoiling during the maize season but no tillage during the wheat season, and ridge planting during both wheat and maize seasons). Compared with conventional tillage, by 2012, eight years of conservation tillage treatments (no tillage, subsoiling and ridge planting) resulted in a significant increase in available phosphorus in topsoil (0–0.20 m), by 3.8%, 37.8% and 36.9%, respectively. Soil available potassium was also increased following conservation tillage, by 13.6%, 37.5% and 25.0%, and soil organic matter by 0.17%, 5.65% and 4.77%, while soil total nitrogen was altered by −2.33%, 4.21% and 1.74%, respectively. Meanwhile, all three conservation tillage approaches increased water use efficiency, by 19.1–28.4% (average 24.6%), 10.1–23.8% (average 15.9%) and 11.2–20.7% (average 15.7%) in wheat, maize and annual, respectively. Additionally, wheat yield was increased by 7.9–12.0% (average 10.3%), maize yield by 13.4–24.6% (average 17.4%) and rotation annual yield by 12.3–16.9% (average 14.1%). Overall, our findings demonstrate that subsoiling and ridge planting with straw mulching performed better than conventional tillage for enhancing major soil nutrients and improving grain yield and water use efficiency in rainfed regions in the North China Plain.