The problem of Pitymys voles in orchards in central and southern Italy1

Voles of the genus Pitymys have in recent years caused serious damage in orchards (apple, citrus) in central and southern Italy. They gnaw the roots and base of the trunk of young and mature trees, killing them in a few days. The outbreaks can be related to certain recent changes in cultural practice, especially the introduction of overhead irrigation. Results are presented for control trials by trapping or by chlorophacinone baiting.     

The oak buprestid beetle,Agrilus biguttatus (F.) (Col., buprestidae), a recent factor in oak decline in Europe

During last years, the populations of the oak buprestid beetleAgrilus biguttatus (Fab.) in Europe have increased. In several countries, the beetles’ attacks have become a new component in oak dieback. The larvae excavate galleries under the bark of weakened trees, which are killed through the girdling. Because of the difficult diagnosis it is necessary to draw more attention to the infestations. Therefore, this paper presents a review on the literature concerning the recognition of the infestations by the insect and its bionomics.     

The oak buprestid beetle,Agrilus biguttatus (F.) (Col., buprestidae), a recent factor in oak decline in Europe

During last years, the populations of the oak buprestid beetleAgrilus biguttatus (Fab.) in Europe have increased. In several countries, the beetles’ attacks have become a new component in oak dieback. The larvae excavate galleries under the bark of weakened trees, which are killed through the girdling. Because of the difficult diagnosis it is necessary to draw more attention to the infestations. Therefore, this paper presents a review on the literature concerning the recognition of the infestations by the insect and its bionomics.     

The development of benzyprene hydroxylase activity in endrin susceptible and resistant pine mice

Benzyprene hydroxylase activity in hepatic microsomes from endrin-resistant pine mice was found to develop at a more rapid rate than in microsomes from susceptible mice. Maximum activity (V_max) was reached between 4 to 6 weeks in both strains and then slowly declined to levels found in adult mice. At all ages studied the resistant microsomes showed an approximate two-fold greater level of total hydroxylase activity.     

Changing forests and forest management policy in relation to dealing with forest diseases

ABSTRACT The forest landscape of the United States has changed over time, as has public concern for the trees, water, and wildlife. Early in the history of the United States, forests were viewed as an encumbrance and an inexhaustible resource, used to meet the needs of a growing nation. Around 1900, it became clear that old approaches were not sustainable and forest pathology saw its beginning. Annual lumber production increased from 5.4 billion to 44.5 billion board feet. Forest pathologists were called upon to help manage forests for a variety of products, with a focus on decays of wood and wood products. Projection of timber famine stirred public concern, and a number of laws were enacted to deal with the issue. Pathologists were called upon to deal with many of the issues associated with intensive management, and new pests such as chestnut blight and white pine blister rust demanded attention. Then pathologists were called upon to help manage for multiple benefits, and the issues became more complex. Pests such as mistletoes, root diseases, rusts, nursery pests, and urban pests presented new challenges. Concepts such as landscape level assessments, ecosystem management, and multiple-use led to the management of forests to provide for a complex variety of needs. Management objectives vary across the landscape, and pathologists find themselves working with managers who want to maximize fiber production, those that manage areas set aside for special purposes, and all combinations in between. Issues such as acceptable levels of pests, nonnative invasive species, landowner values, visual and watershed quality, and best management practices must be considered in an ever-changing landscape.     

Brenneria quercina and Serratia spp. isolated from Spanish oak trees: molecular characterization and development of PCR primers

Brenneria quercina has been reported as one of the causal agents of oak decline in Spain. To investigate the bacterial variability of this pathogen from different Spanish oak forests, a collection of 38 bacterial isolates from seven geographic locations and from different oak species was analysed by sequencing 16S rDNA and rep-PCR fingerprinting. All Spanish isolates of B. quercina were grouped by rep-PCR into a homogenous cluster that differed significantly from B. quercina reference strains from California. 16S rDNA analysis revealed that 34 out of 38 isolates were Brenneria . However, four isolates belonged to the genus Serratia , suggesting that this bacterium could cause cankers in oak trees. The information obtained by rep-PCR fingerprint analysis was used to develop PCR primers for the sensitive and specific detection of B. quercina from infected plant tissues. Pathogenicity tests performed with Brenneria and Serratia isolates showed that both were able to grow and cause cankers in oak trees.     

Metabarcoding and development of new real‐time specific assays reveal Phytophthora species diversity in holm oak forests in eastern Spain

The evergreen holm oaks (Quercus ilex subsp. ilex and Q. ilex subsp. ballota) are the most representative tree species in the Iberian peninsula and the main tree species in oak‐rangeland ecosystems (dehesas). Oak decline in western, central and southern parts of Spain has been associated with root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi for decades. However, Phytophthora species such as P.  quercina and P. psychrophila have recently been found associated with Quercus decline in eastern Spain where calcareous soils are predominant. Soil and root samples from two Quercus forests presenting decline symptoms in two different geographical areas in eastern Spain (Carrascar de la Font Roja and Vallivana) were analysed by amplicon pyrosequencing. Metabarcoding analysis showed Phytophthora species diversity, and revealed that an uncultured Phytophthora taxon, named provisionally Phytophthora taxon ballota, was the predominant species in both areas. In addition, a real‐time PCR assay, based on the pyrosequencing results, was developed for the detection of this uncultured Phytophthora taxon, and also for the detection of P. quercina. TaqMan assays were tested on soil and root samples, and on Phytophthora pure cultures. The new assays showed high specificity and were consistent with metabarcoding results. A new real‐time PCR protocol is proposed to evaluate the implication of different Phytophthora spp. in oak decline in eastern Spain.     

大兴安岭森林火灾后冻土温湿度因子的变化研究

在大兴安岭森林火灾后7年冻土环境区选择不同程度火烧区(重度火烧区、轻度火烧区)与非过火区来对比分析冻土温湿度因子的变化。研究得出在整个生长季里火烧区的大气温度在重度火烧区与轻度火烧区分别比非过火区大3.53℃、17℃;大气相对湿度在重度火烧区与轻度火烧区分别比非过火区小13.06%、9.3%;土壤表面、5cm、10cm、20cm的温度在重度火烧区与轻度火烧区分别比非过火区大5.38℃、3.7℃、2.66℃、2.3℃、1.8℃、1.16℃、1.18℃、0.64℃;土壤5cm、10cm的含水率在重度火烧区与轻度火烧区分别比非过火区大1.84%、3.32%、3.76%、9.4%。研究森林火灾后冻土温湿度因子的变化规律可对以后火烧区的植被恢复提供气象依据。     

派镇-墨脱徒步线路森林生态旅游资源评价与开发

被称为"中国第一徒步线路"的派镇-墨脱徒步线,是西藏旅游产品的重要组成部分,也是林芝地区旅游市场的名片。派镇-墨脱徒步线路拥有丰富的自然景观及人文旅游资源,文中运用定性和定量相结合的方法,按照《中国旅游资源分类、调查与评价》中的有关规定,对派镇-墨脱徒步线路旅游资源进行了科学评价和分析,并在此基础上提出开发对策。     

吉林蛟河针阔混交林不同林分类型土壤有机碳特征及与养分相关性研究

以吉林蛟河针阔混交红松林监测样地作为研究对象,对春榆混交林、白牛槭混交林、千金榆混交林和色木槭混交林四种林分进行林分结构调查与土壤采样,并测定土壤有机碳及养分含量,分析了不同林分类型对土壤有机碳积累的影响及土壤养分与有机碳相关性的差异。结果表明:1)该研究区四种林分土壤有机碳密度千金榆混交林(18.21kg·m-2)>春榆混交林(16.16kg·m-2)>白牛槭混交林(15.75kg·m-2)>色木槭混交林(14.23kg·m-2)。2)四种林分土壤有机碳含量及密度的变异程度规律基本遵循春榆混交林>白牛槭混交林>千金榆混交林>色木槭混交林。3)四种林分的土壤有机碳与养分的相关性规律不尽相同,全磷与千金榆、春榆混交林土壤有机碳相关性显著,速效钾只与千金榆混交林土壤有机碳具有相关性,土壤全氮和碱解氮与四种林分土壤有机碳的相关性均显著。相关分析结果说明四种林分类型土壤有机碳与土壤养分状况密切相关。     

Characterization of the hepatic mixed function oxidase system in endrin-resistant and -susceptible pine voles

Studies were conducted to assess the contribution of the hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase system to a 7.2-fold difference in susceptibility to the lethal effects of endrin between endrin-resistant and -susceptible pine voles, Microtus pinetorum. Evaluations of microsomal enzyme systems were conducted for basal and endrin-treated pine voles of both strains. The microsomal activity of ICR white mice was investigated to provide a species comparison. Maximal microsomal mixed function oxidase activities were determined in in vitro incubations for the model substrates ethylmorphine, aniline, and benzo(a)pyrene. V_max values were estimated for the rate of disappearance of benzo(a)pyrene in in vitro incubations. No significant strain differences in basal microsomal enzyme activity were found for the model substrates investigated, although activity was invariably higher in the resistant strain. The concentration of cytochrome P-450 was significantly higher in the resistant vole though actually less than 20% different. The occurrence of significant strain differences in the levels of microsomal enzyme activity induced by endrin were rare. Significant endrin treatment effects on the levels of microsomal enzyme activity for the pine vole were observed but the degree and direction of change depended on the substrate used. A marked species difference in microsomal mixed function oxidase activity was noted between pine voles and white mice. This was particularly evident for endrin-treated animals. The microsomal activity of endrin-treated white mice was greatly induced relative to basal levels. The degree of induction depended on the substrate used. The small strain differences in microsomal enzyme activity for the systems investigated were judged to be insufficient to explain the strain difference in susceptibility to endrin.     

搞好森林病虫害监测预报,促进林业生态建设和可持续发展

就森林病虫害监测预报工作在林业和生态建设中的意义和作用，针对我省测报网络建设的现状及存在的问题，提出了江西测报体系建设的思路。     

Sources of inoculum for Phytophthora ramorum in a redwood forest

ABSTRACT Sources of inoculum were investigated for dominant hosts of Phytophthora ramorum in a redwood forest. Infected trunks, twigs, and/or leaves of bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus), and redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) were tested in the laboratory for sporangia production. Sporangia occurred on all plant tissues with the highest percentage on bay laurel leaves and tanoak twigs. To further compare these two species, field measurements of inoculum production and infection were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05. Inoculum levels in throughfall rainwater and from individual infections were significantly higher for bay laurel as opposed to tanoak for both seasons. Both measurements of inoculum production from bay laurel were significantly greater during 2004-05 when rainfall extended longer into the spring, while inoculum quantities for tanoak were not significantly different between the 2 years. Tanoak twigs were more likely to be infected than bay laurel leaves in 2003-04, and equally likely to be infected in 2004-05. These results indicate that the majority of P. ramorum inoculum in redwood forest is produced from infections on bay laurel leaves. Years with extended rains pose an elevated risk for tanoak because inoculum levels are higher and infectious periods continue into late spring.     

Effect of diethylstilbestrol concentration and duration of contact with nursing Levant voles,on the reproduction of their female offspring

A 5-minute contact of nursing mothers of the Levant vole,Microtus guentheri, with paper impregnated with a DES suspension in soybean oil (125 μg/cm² ) caused sterilization of 60% of the newborn female offspring. A 1-hour contact was sufficient to sterilize more than 90% of them. When the DES concentration was decreased to 1 μg/cm² only 44% of the newborn female offspring were sterile although their nursing mothers had been exposed to contact with the treated paper for a period of 2 hours. The concentration of 0.1 μg/cm² was totally ineffective in causing sterilization. Treatment of nesting material with DES offers a promising means of reproductive suppression in Levant voles.     

Braconidae (Hymenoptera) associated with forest and ornamental trees and shrubs in Israel

Data are presented on the occurrence of Braconidae (Hymenoptera parasitica) parasitizing insects associated with forest and ornamental trees and shrubs in Israel. Fifty-five genera of plants are listed, the richest in braconid fauna being tamarisk (9 species); acacia, pistachio and poplar (8 species each); carob and oak (7 species each). Of the 95 species of insect hosts mentioned, 53 are Lepidoptera, mostly Gelechiidae (7 species), Pyralidae (6 species), Noctuidae (5 species), Gracillariidae, Tortricidae, Geometridae, Lymantriidae and Lycaenidae (3 species each); 44 are Coleoptera, mostly Cerambycidae (13 species), Scolytidae (12 species), and Bostrichidae (9 species); three are Diptera. Of the 92 species of braconids listed, of which only 65 have been fully named, 56 develop in Lepidoptera, mostly Noctuidae (15 species), Gelechiidae (11 species) and Pyralidae (9 species); 33 species develop in Coleoptera, mostly Cerambycidae (12 species, Bostrichidae (10 species) and Scolytidae (5 species); and three species develop in Diptera. Thirty-eight species are new to the fauna of Israel; at least three of them are new to science,viz., Gnaptodon, Gildoria andDendrosotinus titubatus Papp.     

The development of Myxobolus pavlovskii (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) includes an echinactinomyxon-type actinospore

Echinactinomyxon-type actinospores were found in a mixed-species oligochaete culture originating from the Temperate Water Fish Hatchery near Budapest, Hungary. On the basis of DNA sequence analysis, the actinospores were identified as Myxobolus pavlovskii (Akhmerov, 1954), the 18S rDNA sequence from myxospores of which is available in GenBank. Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes) fry specimens were successfully infected by cohabitation with the echinactinomyxon-releasing oligochaetes, which confirmed the molecular data congruence. The echinactinomyxons and the myxospores that developed in the gills of exposed fish fry were analysed morphologically and on DNA basis. The infected gill tissue was examined histologically. As typical characters of M. pavlovskii, numerous small plasmodia were observed in the epithelia of gill lamellae. Plasmodia contained thousands of myxospores with polar capsules unequal in size and witl; large intercapsular processes. The 18S rDNA sequence from actinospores and those from myxospores originating from the experimentally infected fish were identical. The oligochaete species releasing actinospores was morphologically determined as Limnodrilus sp. This is the first record of an echinactinomyxon as an alternate stage within the genus Myxobolus.     

影响松林生态系统健康和活力的原因及其维护途径

健康的森林具有较好的自我调节并能保持其系统的稳定性,最大、最充分地持续发挥其经济、生态和社会效益。影响松林生态系统健康的原因是多方面的,本文重点从生态学角度,提出维护、保持、恢复、建立和发展健康的松林生态系统的途径和方法。     

Modelling the escape of Chondrostereum purpureum spores from a larch forest with biological control of Prunus serotina

Chondrostereum purpureum is being developed as a microbial herbicide to controlPrunus serotina in coniferous forests. After biological control, the fungus produces basidiospores that may reach and infect non-target plants. As part of a risk analysis, spore escape from a forest was quantified. For this purpose, a stratified model was developed for a forest of 250 m with 250 m. A turbulent diffusion equation was used to describe spore fluxes for each layer.In a simple calculation procedure, the spore fluxes for the different layers were calculated simultaneously. The downwind escape fraction was found to vary from 0.19 to 0.45, and the upward escapte fraction from 0.07 to 0.23. These escape fractions increased with increasing wind speed.Number of spores released from basidiocarps, and escape fractions could be used as inputs for a Gaussian plume model to calculate spore immission into orchards.