Estimation of animal location from radio telemetry data with temporal dependencies

We evaluate the performance of several estimators of animal location when data arise from radio telemetry studies. We assume that error-prone bearings are taken at regular time intervals from known locations, that observations may be frequent enough to introduce temporal dependencies, and that animals remain within well-defined home ranges. We simulated data to examine several factors including home range shape, dependency between successive locations, sample size and strategy, and bearing error. Simulated data, supplemented by data based on actual paths for Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), were used to evaluate alternative location estimators: Lenth’s maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) that assumes independence; Pace’s moving average version of the MLE that introduces a post hoc dependence in the data; and three estimators from state-space models that explicitly model animal movement and dependencies. The state-space models differed in the assumed model of animal movement and included a simple normal random walk, a variation of the random walk that includes a centralizing parameter, and a discretetime version of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model for movement within an elliptical home range. Estimates were evaluated in terms of location error and estimator precision. The independent MLE had the poorest performance under most scenarios, particularly when actual locations were dependent. The centrally biased random walk estimator generally had smallest location errors and best precision, whether or not data displayed dependencies. Rather than assuming independence or discarding observations to achieve independence, estimation of location would be served better by accounting for potential dependencies. Methods based on simple models of animal movement may vastly improve estimates, and models that recognize an animal’s sense of home territory are preferred.     

Local linear mixed effect models—Model specification and interpretation in a biological context

Clustered data, either as an explicit part of the study design or due to the natural distribution of habitats, populations, and so on, are frequently encountered by biologists. Mixed effect models provide a framework that can handle clustered data by estimating cluster-specific random effects and introducing correlated residual structures. General parametric models have been shown not to suit all biological problems, resulting in an increased popularity for local regression procedures, such as LOESS and splines. To evaluate similar biological problems for clustered data with cluster-specific random effects and potential dependencies between within-cluster residuals, we suggest a local linear mixed model (LLMM). The LLMM approach is a local version of a linear mixed-effect model (LME), and the LLMM approach produces: (1) local shared predictions, (2) local cluster-specific predictions, and (3) estimates of cluster-specific random effects conditioned on the covariates. Thus, in addition to the local estimates of the expected response, we obtain information about how the cluster-specific random variability depends on the values of the covariate. Ovary data are used to illustrate the flexibility and potential of this procedure in biological contexts.     

The sources and composition of humus in some soils of West Antarctica

Original data on humus-forming substances and their elemental and biochemical compositions in Antarctic soils are discussed. Mosses, lichens, algae, remains of higher vascular plants, and penguin guano of two types differ considerably in their chemical compositions. This leads to significant differences in the formation of humic substances in plant materials themselves in the course of their transformation. However, no significant differences in the composition of humus in the fine earth of soils developing under different humus-forming materials have been revealed, which may be related to the extremely low rates of humification. Significant differences between the soils of Antarctic landscapes proper and the soils of the Subantarctic King George Island are only observed in the humus enrichment with nitrogen. The soils of Antarctica are low-humus soils with the humate-fulvate or fulvate types of humus.     

Der Einfluß der natürlichen organischen Substanzen auf die Metallverteilung zwischen Boden und Bodenlösung in einem sauren Waldboden

The influence of organic matter in the translocation of metals between soil and soil solution of an acid forest soil Water extracts were prepared from soil samples which were collected from a soil profile showing very little variation in the texture down to a depth of 120 cm and thus only little translocation of clay in the soil profile. The aim of the study was to describe the distribution between soil and soil solution of several metals like Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Al and Mn as a function of humic substances, electrolyte concentration and pH. From the experimental results the following hypothesis on the reaction mechanisms involving metals and humus derived substances has been deduced. The metals Cu, Fe, Al and Pb are mobilized through complexation by soluble humus substances in addition to the usual pH dependent desorption and dissolution of hydroxides. This mobilization determines the solution concentration of Cu and Fe at pH > 3.7 and Al and Pb at pH > 4.2. Al, Fe and Pb are complexed selectively by high molecular weight humus derived substances which undergo adsorption on soil mineral surfaces. Cu interacts with low molecular weight humus derived substances which are not easily adsorbed by the mineral surfaces. Zn, Cd and Mn primarily undergo sorption and are thus controlled by pH and electrolyte concentration of solutions because their complexation with humus derived substances seems to be weak or nonexistant. It is further postulated that the humus derived substances mobilize Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions. By this, other metals like Cd, Zn, Mn, Ca and Mg can occupy the free exchange sites.     

Effect of the chemical composition of green manure crops on humus formation in a Soddy-Podzolic soil

The effects of different types of green manure (Trifolium pratense L., Dactylis glomerata L., and Secale cereale L.) and the time of its input into the soil (autumn and spring) on the contents of humus and labile humus substances in a soddy-podzolic soil and the relationship between the formation of humus and the chemical composition of the applied biomass were studied. Green manure had a positive effect on the accumulation of humus in the soil. When the plants were plowed into the soil in the fall, the amount of humus formed in the soil in the first year was 0.1% higher in comparison with the spring application of green manure. The most active synthesis of new humus substances took place upon the following properties of the plant biomass: C: N = 15–25, the cellulose content of 20–28%, and the lignin content of 14–17%. The highest amount of labile humus substances was formed during the decomposition of the biomass with the C: N ratio above 20, the cellulose content of 19–20%, and the lignin content of 14–16%.     

Characterization of cultivation effects on soil organic matter

Humus properties in various Ap horizons from field plots, that have been cultivated in long-term experiments under different management conditions, were investigated by pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS) and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The results of Py-FIMS were evaluated by correlation and principal component analysis from reproducible data sets of bulk soil samples and extracted humic substances, and allowed a distinct discrimination on the basis of humus quality and composition. The chemical subunits suitable for discrimination are the major plant constituents carbohydrates, lignin, and proteinaceous materials as well as their humification products. The contribution of these compound classes to soil organic matter decreased with the intensity of management. CPMAS and solution ¹³C NMR spectra of soils and humic substances demonstrated that with more intense management, both the intensities of the phenolic region (140–160 ppm) and the aromatic region (110–140 ppm) decreased. The combination of both independent methods MS and NMR, together with microbiological and biochemical data, yields the general result that intensive soil management leads to a less active humus.     

Conformational changes of humic substances induced by some hydroxy-, keto-, and sulfonic acids

We studied the effect of organic acids of plant, microbial, or anthropic origin on the molecular size distribution of dissolved humic acids (HAs). High Performance Size Exclusion Chromatography (HPSEC) was used to evaluate size changes in four different HAs upon addition of hydroxy- (glycolic and malic), keto- (glyoxylic), and sulfonic (benzenesulfonic and methanesulfonic) acids. All humic substances showed a decrease of peaks absorbance when the pH of HAs dissolved in HPSEC mobile phase was lowered from 7 to 3.5 by acid addition before analysis. This effect, combined with an increase of peaks elution volumes in most cases, was interpreted as a disruption of supramolecular humic associations into smaller-size but energy-richer conformations brought about by the formation of mixed intermolecular hydrogen bonding upon acid treatment. The extent of size variation was related to the pKa of acids and also to the chemical and stereochemical affinity of humic components with the chemical structure of the acids. Dicarboxylic malic acid was the most effective in modifying humic conformations in all HAs whereas the aromatic-rich superstructure of HA from an oxidized coal was effectively disrupted by the relatively small methanesulfonic acid and the chemically akin benzenesulfonic acid. These results suggest that the conformational association of humus dissolved in the soil solution may be systematically altered by organic acids present in the rhizosphere and might have effects on plant and microbial activities.     

不同培肥方式黑土腐殖质形态特征研究

针对吉林省黑土区存在的土壤有机质下降、耕地质量退化等问题,利用公主岭国家黑土肥力与肥料效益监测基地连续20年的长期定位试验,采用核磁共振波谱分析法(NMR)、红外光谱分析法(IR)等现代分析方法,研究了不同培肥途径耕层土壤腐殖质的组成、形态结构及动态变化趋势。结果表明:不同培肥途径对耕层土壤腐殖质特征影响明显。施用玉米秸秆处理(S+NPK)和施用有机肥+轮作处理(M+NPK+R)均显著增加了土壤胡敏酸中脂肪族结构成分,单施有机肥处理(M+NPK)显著增加了土壤胡敏酸中羟基含量,S+NPK处理游离羧基含量显著增多。S+NPK、M+NPK及M+NPK+R处理,土壤富啡酸的甲基、亚甲基和次甲基结构成分显著增多,游离羧基含量也显著增多。单施化肥处理,浸提的富啡酸中无机碳酸盐和硅酸盐成分明显增多,化肥长期施用导致土壤中游离富啡酸数量显著减少,土壤的耗竭式利用,导致土壤中铁、铜结合态或络合态的富啡酸增加。不同培肥方式对黑土胡敏酸和富啡酸的元素组成影响有较大的差异,但均可引发胡敏酸C含量降低,N含量增加,富啡酸C、N、H含量增加,O含量降低,可通过不同的培肥方式对土壤腐殖质的元素组成进行调节。     

Use of electron spectroscopy to reveal structural differences between humus acids from virgin and arable gray forest soils

Issues related to the information stored in the electronic spectra of humus acids were considered. The spectrum recording procedure for revealing even small structural changes in the chromophore groups containing the C=C and C=O bonds is discussed. The effect of methods used for separation and purification of humus acids on their spectral and chemical properties is described. Differences in the polarizability and reactivity of humus substances from virgin and arable gray forest soils are revealed.     

Humus balancing in Central Europe—concepts,state of the art,and further challenges

Humus‐balancing methods are simple tools for the assessment of interactions between agricultural land use and soil organic matter (SOM). Aside from this commonality, approaches for humus balancing differ considerably with regard to their specific aim, scope, and methodical approach. The term “humus balance” covers both simple models to quantify SOM change in arable soils, or soil organic C (SOC) change in particular, and models that refer to the optimization of soil productivity in arable soils by calculating organic‐fertilizer demand, without quantifying SOM or SOC change. This situation naturally has caused much discussion and misunderstandings. Against this background, the aim of this review is to systematically explore the different methodical approaches to humus balancing in order to contribute to a more sophisticated discussion of this model family, its opportunities, and limitations. As humus balancing has long history as well as special actual relevance in Germany, and, lately Switzerland, we focus on these countries and discuss the different approaches that are presently available and applied there. We argue that humus balances can be roughly categorized into “ecological” and “agronomical” approaches based on their specific concepts and methodology. Ecological humus balances comprise a strong link to quantitative SOM change, while humus balances of the agronomical family refer to the maintenance of soil productivity without a quantitative link to SOM change. Lately, some models have been presented that link the two concepts. However, we identify that humus‐balancing methods often are insufficiently validated, partly because the validation of agronomical humus balances is not easily possible without a very comprehensive field‐experimental basis. Further, the comparability of different approaches even within the two concept families is low at present, indicating the need for a comparative model evaluation for a proper assessment of the methods.     

The Biodegradation and Disintegration of Paper Products in the Composting Environment

The compostability of several paper products was determined according to the standards and criteria of the European standardization committee (CEN). The lignin content of the materials seems to be the main reason for the low biodegradability level achieved in the controlled composting test, which is a biodegradability test based on microbial degradation and measurement of carbon dioxide evolution. Mechanically pulped paper, which contains more lignin and more closely resembles natural wood than chemically bleached paper, generated smaller amounts of carbon dioxide. All the chemically bleached papers generated more than 70% of their organic carbon content as CO₂, while the mechanically pulped unbleached papers in general generated less than 70%. Paper containing mechanical pulp degrades slower because lignin both interferes the biodegradation of cellulose and becomes incorporated in the humus. The test protocol also defines that, even if the biodegradability of paper products is not tested, their disintegration and effect on compost quality have to be determined. In the present study, we also evaluated a number of disintegration test methods in full-scale composting facilities. According to CEN, the disintegration can be studied either in composter bin-scale test equipment or in full-scale composting facilities. In this study, we only present the data from full-scale composting in which several test methods were used to evaluate the degradation of the samples. The disintegration of the paper products in full-scale composting facilities is highly dependent on the method used. The slowest degradation rate was achieved when the samples were composted in nylon bags.     

On artificial humic acids

I. Absorption Spectra of Some Artificial Humic Acids

It is a well known fact that numerous dark brown or black and amorphous substances cap be produced from organic compounds by purely chemical processes. Some of them are called artificial humic acids, and have been used as a model of soil humic acids by many workers. But it is doubtful whether such artificial humic acids are considered to be a model of soil humic acids, even if there can be found any similarities in their properties. However it may be an useful method for the study of humus formation to compare artificial humic acids with soil humic acids, and to make efforts to find a good model or to prepare artificial humic acids comparable to soil humic acids under laboratory conditions. For this purpose, first of all, the author prepared artificial humic acids from glucose, hydroquinone and lignin, and their absorption spectra were determined.     

稻草不同途径还田对土壤结构及有机质特征的影响

通过3年的田间定位试验,系统的研究了稻草不同途径还田对稻田土壤容重、孔隙度、团聚体、有机碳总量、腐殖质组成及腐殖质结合形态的影响。结果表明,与无肥(CK)及纯施化肥(NPK)对照相比,稻草直接深埋还田(NPK+S)及利用后的菌渣、牛粪、沼渣深埋还田(NPK+FD、NPK+CD、NPK+BD)均能一定程度的降低土壤容重、增加孔隙度、增加>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体的数量和提高土壤团聚体的稳定性,有利于形成和保持良好的土壤结构;同时能提高土壤腐殖质中胡敏酸含量和HA/FA比值,增加松结态腐殖质含量和提高松/紧腐殖质比值,能一定程度的改善土壤腐殖质的组成、性质及结合形态,提高腐殖质品质,不过这4个处理间的差异不明显。稻草焚烧还田(NPK+S′)在以上方面效果均不显著,且带来严重的大气污染,并不可取。     

Soil–root cross‐talking: The role of humic substances

The biological activity of humic substances (HS) has been elucidated in the last 40 years. Growth enhancement from HS has been demonstrated in several plants in the laboratory and the field. Morphogenesis effects have also been investigated and include induction of lateral root formation and root hair initiation in intact plants and stimulation of root and shoot development in treated cell calluses. HS enhance nutrient use efficiency, aiding assimilation of both macro and microelements and promoting plant growth by the induction of carbon, nitrogen, and secondary metabolism. The review aims are to: (1) shed light on the mechanism by which plants “talk” with soil through humic substances, (2) elucidate the plant responses to the stimulatory effects of HS, the regulatory circuits that allow plants to cope with humus, and the feedback between plant community structures, and (3) show (in light of recent debate about the alkaline extraction of soil humic substances) the plant capability to acquire biologically active substances from soil. It will be shown that plants modify soils, creating and maintaining favorable habitats for growth and survival. Therefore, organic substances exuded by roots are not a wasteful loss of carbon and energy. They represent an evolved strategy by which plants “talk” to the soil. The mobilization of bioactive organic/humic substances from bulk soil or bulk humus is critical to plant and soil health.     

不同土壤改良措施对低产黄泥田土壤性质及水稻产量的影响

在荆门市双季稻区研究了不同的土壤改良措施对土壤腐殖质组成及结合形态、土壤理化性质、双季稻产量的影响。结果表明：不同土壤改良措施均提高了土壤水溶性物质、胡敏酸、胡敏素含量、可提取腐殖物质总量,其中泥炭土、菇渣及生物有机肥处理增幅较大;不同土壤改良措施增加了土壤松结合态腐殖质、稳结合态腐殖质、紧结合态腐殖质含量及结合态腐殖质总含量,其中生物有机肥处理达到显著水平。各土壤改良措施均不同程度地增加了早、晚稻产量,平均比单施化肥处理的早稻增产6.6％、晚稻增产9.5％;同时提高了土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量与阳离子交换量,降低了土壤容重。各改良措施中,生物有机肥处理的增产幅度较大,早、晚稻分别增产10.13％和17.50％,且对土壤理化性质的改良效果优于其它处理。     

The phenolic acid content of cashew leaves (Anacardium occidentale L.) and of the associated humus layer,Senegal

Phenolic acid content was studied in NaOH- and water-extracts from cashew leaves and from the associated humus profile. Free and bound forms of water-soluble phenolic acids were evaluated separately. Phenolic acid composition in the humus layers is to a high degree determined by the phenolic substances inherited from the leaves. Alkali- and water-extracts were dominated by gallic acid, because of the high contents of hydrolisable gallotannin in cashew leaves. Gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, cinnamic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids were derived from the leaves, whereas vanillic acid only occurred in the soil. Considerable proportions of the total phenolic acids are water-soluble and lost by leaching from the humus layers.     

Relationships between Collembola,soil chemistry and humus types in forest stands (France)

Soil samples were taken under four tree species in various forest sites located in southern France. For each sampled A horizon of the soil profile, pH, organic matter content, C:N ratio and amounts of exchangeable cations (K, Ca, Mg) were measured, and collembolan fauna was extracted using Berlese-Tullgren funnels. A total of 78 species representing 11 families and 47 genera were identified. The relationships between Collembola and soil parameters were determined by co-inertia analysis which corresponds to the simultaneous Correspondence Analysis of the collembolan data table and the Multiple Correspondence Analysis of the environmental data table. The analysis revealed that the distribution of 10 species was related to pH, organic matter content via C and N and to base cations (K, Ca, Mg). Samples, linking these collembolan species and chemical parameters, were clustered according to humus forms. Collembola seem to be linked closer to the physical structure of humus than to its chemical parameters. Their specific contribution to pedogenetic processes as yet remains to be clarified.     

Robust analysis of soil properties at the national scale: cadmium content of French soils

National-scale soil datasets exhibit variation over widely disparate spatial scales. Geological variation is an important source at the coarsest scale, and one in which exhaustive information is commonly available, in geological maps. Superimposed on this is continuous spatial variation caused by factors such as relief, vegetation and diffuse 'background' pollution. Further variation is caused by locally distinct factors such as point pollution from industrial sites or occasional geological anomalies. In this paper, we propose a single statistical model to encompass all of these effects which we describe as 'geological variation', 'continuous spatial variation' and 'local anomalies'. In our model, the geological and continuous spatial variation are described, respectively, by the fixed and random effects of a linear mixed model (LMM) and the local anomalies lead to observations which are spatial outliers with respect to the LMM. We fit the model to a survey of 1887 observations of cadmium concentration in soil (Cd) collected on an incomplete regular grid across the French metropolitan territory (550 000 km²) and use it to predict Cd across France. We find that (i) it is not possible to fit a valid model—in terms of cross-validation statistics—of Cd variation unless the effects of local anomalies are identified and separated from the larger-scale processes; (ii) the LMM is not valid if the outliers are merely discarded but a valid model does result if the outliers are winsorized. On the basis of these findings we suggest a practical robust algorithm for national-scale spatial analysis.     

Agronomic Evaluation of Liquid Humus Derived From Earthworm Humic Substances

Carbon (C), commonly expressed as organic matter (OM), is of vital importance in soil productivity. Liquid humus is an alkaline suspension containing humic and fulvic acids, which can facilitate C addition to the soil through the irrigation system to increase OM and soil fertility levels. Two liquid humus products were formulated from earthworm humic substances and the effects of these and other commercial products derived from leonardite, on soil and ryegrass were evaluated in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. On average, C application, regardless of source, increased the aerial and root dry matter, plant greenness, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake, and nutrient use efficiency. Carbon effects on plant production were larger when added over fertilized plants. Residual soil N was lowered by the application of liquid humus. No significant effect of C rate was observed on soil pH or electrical conductivity (EC) at the end of the experiment. Optimal C rates found in this study were higher than the recommended commercial ones. No major differences among earthworm liquid humus and leonardite-based products were observed; therefore the former would constitute a more sustainable alternative for organic matter additions as they are made from a renewable resource.     

Interaction of the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide with soil organic matter moieties: a theoretical study

The determination of the structure of humic substances from soils and natural waters is an intriguing problem in soil science. Humic substances consist of molecules covering a broad distribution of molecular size and involving different functional groups. Taking this into account, we have chosen smaller model systems with functional groups typically present in humic substances. We investigated theoretically, by quantum chemical calculations, the environmental effects on the complexes formed from the interaction of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its anion with acetaldehyde, methanol, methylamine, protonated methylamine, acetic acid and water. The important case of a cation bridge mechanism, with Ca²⁺ as the bridging cation, is also included into the set of model reactions. It is found that this cation bridge belongs to one of the most stable mechanisms of fixation of organic compounds in soils. According to our calculations the hydroxyl group forms the most stable complexes with 2,4‐D in a polar solvent environment.