Assessing the efficacy and impact of management of an invasive species in a protected area: Poa annua on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island

Plant eradication is difficult, particularly in remote, protected areas. The Southern Ocean Islands are very isolated and highly protected, but the flora contains many alien plants. Small restricted populations have been eradicated, but eradication of established species has proven difficult. A better understanding of the efficacy of control methods at sub‐Antarctic temperatures and their off‐target impacts may increase eradication success. With interest in controlling non‐native Poa annua in the region, we aimed to determine if physical and chemical methods can control P. annua (the sub‐Antarctic biotype) in sub‐Antarctic conditions and examined their impact on native plants. We quantified the effectiveness of physical control methods on P. annua in situ on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island through field‐based experiments and assessed their selectivity on P. annua compared with native grasses. We also quantified the effectiveness of several herbicides on P. annua at sub‐Antarctic temperatures and assessed their selectivity on native grasses. Of the four physical disturbance methods tested, none effectively reduced P. annua cover as one‐off treatments. Of the herbicide treatments, glyphosate and trifloxysulfuron sodium were effective and were less damaging to native grass species, indicating potential selectivity. Physical control was of limited effectiveness, but did not affect native species richness. An integrated weed management programme utilising the strategic use of selective herbicides with follow‐up chemical and physical intervention may balance control and biodiversity outcomes. This research highlights the importance of site‐specific testing of control methods and understanding off‐target impacts of control when managing alien plant species in protected areas.     

草鱼幼鱼肝胰脏抗氧化系统对MC-LR胁迫的响应

为了研究微囊藻毒素(MC-LR)对草鱼(Ctenopharygodon idella)幼鱼肝胰脏抗氧化防御系统的影响,本研究通过腹腔注射的方法(剂量为25、100μg MC-LR·kg-1,分别称为低剂量和高剂量),对草鱼幼鱼进行染毒,于胁迫24、48 h和72 h后分离其肝胰脏,随后采用分光光度法检测了草鱼幼鱼肝胰脏中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性;同时采用荧光定量PCR方法分析了SOD、CAT、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)基因相对表达量的变化。结果显示:高剂量MC-LR诱导24 h和48 h后,草鱼幼鱼肝胰脏SOD活性显著增加(P0.05),而SOD在低剂量组中活性没有显著变化(P0.05);低剂量MC-LR对CAT活性没有显著影响(P0.05),而高剂量MC-LR诱导24 h后可使草鱼幼鱼肝胰脏CAT活性显著增加(P0.05),随后其活性又下降,但差异不显著(P0.05)。在MC-LR胁迫过程中,SOD、CAT、GPx基因表达在两个剂量组中均显著低于对照组(P0.05),而GR基因在低剂量MC-LR胁迫24 h后相对表达量显著上调(P0.05),尽管在72 h相对表达量上调,但差异不显著(P0.05),而高剂量组中GR基因在胁迫24 h和48 h后,其表达量被抑制,但不存在显著差异(P0.05)。进行抗氧化酶活性和基因表达相关性分析发现,SOD和CAT酶活性与SOD和CAT基因表达不相关。上述研究表明MC-LR对草鱼幼鱼肝胰脏抗氧化系统产生了明显的胁迫效应,但MC-LR对机体抗氧化酶活性与基因编码调控之间的相互作用机制还有待更深入的研究。     

投喂蚕豆对草鱼免疫器官超微结构和免疫基因表达的影响

为研究草鱼摄食蚕豆后免疫功能变化及转投30 d人工饲料后免疫增强效果,在草鱼摄食蚕豆30、60、90、120及150 d(转投饲料30 d)时,检测肠道、头肾、肝脏等器官超微结构及C-type lysozyme、IFN-I、TNF-α等免疫基因表达变化。结果表明:1)饲喂单一饲料蚕豆的草鱼,其肠道、头肾、肝脏等3个重要免疫器官受到严重损伤,转投饲料30 d后其病变并未显著好转;2)免疫基因C-type lysozyme、IFN-I、TNF-α、IgM和MHC-I的表达在30～120 d均被抑制,转投饲料30 d后,头肾中C-type lysozyme、IL-1β、IFN-I、IgM、MHC-I以及肝脏中IL-1β、TNF-α、IFN-I、IgM、MHC-I的表达量有所增加。综上,草鱼摄食蚕豆后其免疫功能受到显著抑制,而转投30 d饲料对脆肉鲩的免疫机能具有一定的恢复作用。     

苜蓿-禾草混播对根系可溶性糖含量的影响

可溶性糖对植物的抗冻性存在着积极的影响。为研究苜蓿（Medicago sativa）与禾草混播对根系可溶性糖含量的影响，以苜蓿与无芒雀麦（Bromus inermis Leyss）、披碱草（Elymus dahuricus Turcz）、虉草（Phalaris arundinacea L.）按豆禾间行比例1∶1(B1)、2∶2(B2)、1∶2(B3)和2∶1(B4)混播，并在初霜后测定不同混播处理牧草根系的可溶性糖含量。结果表明，禾草种类对苜蓿根系可溶性糖含量的影响不显著；豆禾间行比例2∶2混播处理苜蓿根系可溶性糖含量显著低于1∶2和2∶1混播处理，1∶1、1∶2和2∶1混播处理间无显著差异；苜蓿与虉草混播后，不同混播比例的虉草根系可溶性糖含量都高于单播虉草。3种禾草中，虉草根系可溶性糖含量显著高于其余两种。综上所述，豆禾间行比为1∶1及1∶2混播处理中苜蓿及禾草的根系可溶性糖含量均较高，考虑苜蓿的耐寒力往往弱于3种禾草，又以间行比1∶2混播的处理为最佳选择。研究为当地苜蓿与禾草混播草地的持续利用提供理论参考。     

Determination of Festuca filiformis seedbank characteristics,seedling emergence and herbicide susceptibility to aid management in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

Festuca filiformis is a common perennial grass in lowbush blueberry fields, but little is known about the general biology, seedbank characteristics, seedling recruitment or susceptibility of seedlings to currently registered herbicides. The objectives of this research were to determine (i) the presence of F. filiformis seedbanks in lowbush blueberry fields, (ii) whether F. filiformis seedbanks accumulate near the soil surface in lowbush blueberry fields, (iii) the dormancy status of fresh F. filiformis seeds, (iv) the temporal patterns of seedling recruitment in established F. filiformis populations, (v) whether F. filiformis has a vernalisation requirement for flowering in lowbush blueberry and (vi) susceptibility of F. filiformis seedlings to various herbicides currently registered in lowbush blueberry. Festuca filiformis formed a seedbank in lowbush blueberry fields, with an average of 1660 ± 272–5680 ± 1409 seedlings m^?2 emerging from soil cores collected from two infested fields. Most seeds were located at the soil surface, providing opportunities for seedbank management through predation or burning. Fresh seeds lacked dormancy and readily germinated, although germination was reduced by dark conditions. New seedlings emerged in spring and autumn and required vernalisation to flower. Seedlings were susceptible to several currently registered herbicides in lowbush blueberry, although mortality rates were highest in plants treated with glufosinate, flumioxazin, glufosinate + flumioxazin and terbacil. Growers should avoid movement of seeds on machinery, and additional research should be conducted to determine the effects of registered herbicides on F. filiformis seedling recruitment under field conditions in lowbush blueberry.     

射流式鱼泵输送草鱼的性能研究

为了分析射流式鱼泵输送草鱼的性能及其损伤因素,文章设计了一台喉管直径为60 mm的射流式鱼泵,开展了草鱼输送实验,并采用高速摄影和计算流体力学方法进行了研究。结果显示,该射流式鱼泵在扬程2.24m时最高草鱼输送能力达918 kg·h~(-1),其所需水功率为2.83 k W。进一步的检测表明,部分实验鱼有鳞片脱落的情况,但未出现游泳异常,解剖后也未发现内脏受损等情况;实验鱼在过泵后呼吸频率及部分血液指标存在明显变化,但在24 h内基本可以恢复。数值模拟和高速摄影方法分析得出,剪切层是造成实验鱼泵内鳞片脱落的主要原因,撞击伤是由内流偏转诱导实验鱼撞击泵内壁面产生的,包含压力梯度在内的水力因素都可能使实验鱼产生应激反应。但由于鱼类在泵内时间极短,上述因素都不会致实验鱼死亡。     

西藏天然草原生态保护补助奖励政策对农牧民家庭收入的影响

西藏高寒草地生态保护不仅关系当地人民生活水平的提升,而且关乎我国东部地区的生态和经济安全,是我国重要的生态安全屏障之一。为遏止高寒草地退化,恢复已退化草地的生态功能,保护未退化高寒草地资源,在2011年国家启动天然草原生态保护补助奖励政策(以下简称"草奖"政策)。2014年我们深入西藏3类地区(纯牧区、半农半牧区、纯农区)的农、牧家庭进行问卷调查,从家庭牧业生产、家庭收入与构成及农牧户间收入差距3方面剖析了政策实施3年(2011-2013年)的社会经济影响。研究发现,1)草原生态保护补助奖励机制的政策福利存在地域间的不均衡性,纯牧区家庭享有更多经济福利;2)"草奖"政策改变了牧区家庭的收入结构,转移性收入超过家庭经营性收入,成为牧民家庭的重要收入来源;3)"草奖"政策有利于缩小牧区和农区贫富差距,但对于半农半牧区效果不明显。因此,政策措施需要进行适时适度地调整,从补偿标准、方式、力度等方面进行优化,体现高寒草地生态功能的地域性差异,使其符合各地域农牧家庭的实际生产,促使西藏高原草地畜牧业的可持续发展。     

Impact of sampling and storage technique,and duration of storage,on the composition of fresh grass when analysed using near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of sampling technique (pluck or cut), storage duration (immediate analysis, 24‐h or 48‐h), storage temperature (ambient or chilled) and storage conditions (air present, air excluded or breathable) on the composition of fresh grass sampled from a sward managed to simulate grazing. Treatments were repeated across four sampling dates, with grass samples stored in grip seal bags prior to analysis using near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Grass sampled by ‘pluck’ had a higher crude protein and ME content, and a lower acid detergent fibre (ADF) content, compared to that sampled by ‘cut’. Grass stored for 48 h had a lower water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and ME content and a higher ADF content than for immediate analysis. Samples stored for 24 h did not differ from immediate analysis. Grass stored at ambient temperature had a lower WSC and ME content compared to immediate analysis. Grass stored under ‘breathable’ conditions had a lower ME content and higher ADF content than immediate analysis or samples stored with air present or air excluded. It is recommended that grass for analysis should be sampled by cutting, stored chilled (4°C) in a sealed bag to minimize exposure to oxygen and analysed within 24 h of harvest.     

天然草原青干草对农区洼地绵羊肉品质的影响

本研究旨在研究天然草原青干草对农区洼地绵羊肉品质的影响。选取4月龄洼地绵羊公羊27只,组间平均体重(20.0±0.5)kg,按随机区组原则分为3组(每组3个重复,每个重复3只):试验Ⅰ组饲喂天然草原青干草,试验Ⅱ组饲喂青贮玉米秸和花生秧,试验Ⅲ组饲喂青贮玉米秸和苜蓿,试验期105d,其中预试期15d,正试期90d。结果表明,肉色、大理石花纹、pH、熟肉率等指标3个试验组间差异均不显著(P0.05),失水率试验Ⅰ组显著低于试验Ⅱ组和试验Ⅲ组(P0.05);剪切力试验Ⅰ组显著低于试验Ⅱ组(P0.05)。粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、水分3个试验组间差异均不显著(P0.05),粗灰分试验Ⅰ组显著高于试验Ⅱ组(P0.05),试验Ⅰ组与试验Ⅲ组相比差异不显著(P0.05)。氨基酸总含量3个试验组间差异不显著(P0.05),鲜味氨基酸试验Ⅰ组显著高于试验Ⅱ组。综合研究表明,与农区秸秆饲料相比,天然草原青干草可以在一定程度上提高农区洼地绵羊羊肉的食用价值和营养物质含量,同时改善了羊肉风味,可在农区推广使用天然草原青干草。     

Hide and seek – Infection rates and alkaloid concentrations of Epichloë festucae var. lolii in Lolium perenne along a land‐use gradient in Germany

The common forage grass Lolium perenne has evolved with the systemic fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae var. lolii. The endophyte provides herbivore resistance to the grass due to defensive alkaloids, some of which are toxic to grazing livestock. In this field study, we determine whether distribution of the endophyte‐grass association changes along a land‐use intensity gradient on 87 managed grasslands in three German regions. Endophyte infections were detected in 66% of the studied sites and infection rates within infected sites ranged from 1% to 95%. Alkaloid concentrations of lolitrem B (vertebrate toxin) exceeded the toxicity thresholds in 50 (14%) of 351 infected plants and of peramine (invertebrate deterrent/toxin) in 12 (3%) of 351 plants. Infection rates and alkaloid concentrations were not significantly affected by land‐use intensity and region, but alkaloid concentrations were higher in summer compared to spring. We conclude that risks for livestock intoxication are currently low, as (i) average alkaloid concentrations per grassland were always below toxicity thresholds and as (ii) none of the grasslands was dominated by L. perenne. We suggest avoidance of grass monocultures in Europe to keep intoxication risks for livestock low; we also recommend regular examination of seeds and grasslands, as seed producers might accidentally distribute infected seeds, and as climate warming might further enhance the distribution of Epichloë endophytes in European grasslands.