Catastrophic decline of a top carnivore in the gulf of california rocky intertidal zone

The predatory sun star, Heliaster kubiniji, once the commonest rocky intertidal asteroid of the Gulf of California, has been rare throughout this region since summer 1978 when a devastating disease outbreak occurred. This unprecedented phenomenon and several other exceptional ecological events in marine communities of the northeastern Pacific appear to be linked to large-scale climatic changes that occurred during 1977 and 1978. Implications of the decline in Heliaster kubiniji are discussed.     

Trophic control of production in a rocky intertidal community

In the low intertidal zone at Tatoosh Island, Washington, United States, minimal estimates of primary production can vary from 0 to an average of 86 kilograms of wet mass per square meter per year when the grazing assemblage is manipulated. Highly productive annual kelps (Laminariales) replace less productive perennial species when macroscopic grazers are reduced or absent, resulting in monodominant assemblages of Alaria marginata. Experiments were repeated in seven consecutive years. Increased species richness makes no significant additional contribution to annual production. Rather, a competitively superior species is favored when its enemies are reduced, suggesting that terrestrial perspectives on the role of biodiversity that are developed without considering consumers may not be general.     

Catastrophic storms, el nino, and patch stability in a southern california kelp community

Strong winter storms in southern California destroyed most of the canopy ofthe giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera but not the patches of understory kelps in the Point Loma kelp forest near San Diego. Subsequent massive recruitment of Macrocystis juveniles and adults that survived the storms had low survival in the summer during the California El Ni?o of 1983. The combined disturbance may have long-lasting structural consequences for this community because, once established, the understory patches can resist invasion by Macrocystis.     

Scaling population density to body size in rocky intertidal communities

Interspecific comparisons of animal population density to body size has been the subject of active research in the last decade, especially for terrestrial animals when considering particular taxa or taxonomic assemblages. Studies of rocky intertidal communities showed that animal population density scales with body size to the -0.77 power. This relation held within local communities representing a broad array of animal taxa and was not affected by a dramatic alteration in the network of between-species interactions, as revealed by two long-term human exclusion experiments.     

Correlation of changes in gravity, elevation, and strain in southern california

Measurements made once or twice a year from 1977 through 1982 show large correlated changes in gravity, elevation, and strain in several southern California networks. Precise gravity surveys indicate changes of as much as 25 microgals between surveys 6 months apart. Repeated surveys show that annual elevation changes as large as 100 millimeters occur along baselines 40 to 100 kilometers long. Laser-ranging surveys reveal coherent changes in areal strain of 1 to 2 parts per million occurred over much of southern California during 1978 and 1979. Although the precision of these measuring systems has been questioned, the rather good agreement among them suggests that the observed changes reflect true crustal deformation.     

Radionuclides in mono lake, california

Several radioisotopes of the naturally occurring uranium and thorium decay series, in addition to fallout plutonium, have unusually high concentrations in the water column of Mono Lake, a natural alkaline, saline lake. Complexing by carbonate ions appears to be responsible for the enhanced solubility of actinide elements with oxidation states of IV to VI. In contrast, fallout strontium-90 has been largely removed from the water, probably as a result of coprecipitation with calcium carbonate. The daughter/parent activity ratios of thorium, radium, and uranium isotopes suggest that thorium is removed from the water column to the sediments on time scales substantially longer than a month and that the desorption of thorium from the sediments to the water column requires less than a few years.     

Earthquake hazard after a mainshock in california

After a strong earthquake, the possibility of the occurrence of either significant aftershocks or an even stronger mainshock is a continuing hazard that threatens the resumption of critical services and reoccupation of essential but partially damaged structures. A stochastic parametric model allows determination of probabilities for aftershocks and larger mainshocks during intervals following the mainshock. The probabilities depend strongly on the model parameters, which are estimated with Bayesian statistics from both the ongoing aftershock sequence and from a suite of historic California aftershock sequences. Probabilities for damaging aftershocks and greater mainshocks are typically well-constrained after the first day of the sequence, with accuracy increasing with time.     

三亚岩相潮间带底栖海藻群落结构及其季节变化

为了解三亚潮间带大型海藻生态现状,布设6条岩相断面,于2008年1-11月进行了四季野外的调查,并使用物种多样性指数与聚类分析研究了潮间带大型海藻四季的群落结构和多样性变化。调查共鉴定出大型底栖藻类130种,隶属于4门75属,其中红藻门41属67种、褐藻门16属31种、绿藻门15属29种、蓝藻门3属3种。潮间带海藻种类数季节变化不大,并呈低潮带>中潮带>高潮带的垂直分布特征,且中低潮带有共同分布种,夏季尤为普遍。潮间带海藻夏冬两季平均生物量高于春秋两季,但并无显著差异。优势种季节变化明显:春季有波利团扇藻 Padina boryana、日本仙菜Ceramium japonicum、半叶马尾藻Sargassum hemiphyllum、海柏Polyopes polyideoides,夏季有波状软凹藻Chondrophycus undulates、冠叶马尾藻Sargassum cristaefolium、宽扁叉节藻Amphiroa dilatata、石花菜Gelidium amansii,秋季有冠叶马尾藻、波状软凹藻、叶状铁钉菜Ishige foliacea,冬季有瓦氏马尾藻 Sargassum vachellianum、苔状鸭毛藻Symphyocladia marchantioides、珊瑚藻Corallina officinalis、波利团扇藻、日本仙菜。群落多样性冬高夏低:Shannon多样性和Margalef丰富度指数最大值出现在冬季,Shannon多样性和Pielou均匀度指数最低值出现在夏季。区域底栖藻类以暖水性热带-亚热带种为主,其次为温水性的暖温带种类,基本符合南海南区暖水区系特点。研究表明,尽管三亚潮间带底栖海藻种类数与生物量上并无显著的季节差异,但群落结构与多样性均显示出一定的季节变化。     

湘南石漠化地区植物群落物种多样性

通过对湘南21个样地（5 000 km2）实地调查,应用重要值计算多样性指数Shannon-Wiener（H）和Simpson指数（D）,Pielou均匀度指数（JSW）,丰富度指数（S）等,分析湘南植物群落多样性。结果表明:①维管束植物共有63科131属173种,其中乔木15科21属24种,青冈栎Cyclobalanopsis glauca,细叶青冈C. gracilis,苦槠Castanopsis sclerophylla等为乔木层优势种;灌木层34科60属74种,牡荆Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia,六月雪Serissa japonica与花竹Bambusa albo-lineata较多;草本植物共32科54属63种,多数为禾本科Gramineae植物;层间植物共有13科22属33种,龙须藤Bauhinia championii数量最多;②多样性分析表明:湘南石漠化地区物种丰富度低,植物群落结构简单,但群落多样性较高,Simpson指数为0.796 9～0.936 1, Shannon-Wiener指数为2.104 7～3.274 6,群落物种个体分配较为均匀,群落多样性较好。潜在石漠化乔层群落物种组成最为丰富,其Simpson指数也最高,达到了0.936 1,Shannon-Wiener 指数也高达3.274 6;从群落层次分析,乔木大多数集中在潜在石漠化群落中,轻度石漠化林地乔层仅有6株乔木,其他群落样地中乔木几近忽略,可见石漠化地区是比较难以孕育高大乔木的,这与石漠化区域土壤瘠薄、保水能力差、上土下水的双层结构有密切关联;③多样性分析说明不同程度石漠化群落之间环境差异性较大,Cody指数分析表明:由轻度石漠化向重度石漠化演替速度很快。极重度石漠化群落与其他群落的共有种最少,随着石漠化程度增加,不同等级石漠化群落间的相似性系数呈现减小的趋势;不同程度石漠化群落区域间,Jaccard指数差异较大,最大为最小的7.29倍;潜在石漠化到重度石漠化程度过程中Cody指数最大,物种更替速度在持续增加,到重度石漠化,更替速度达到最大值。图1表3参25     

Transitional pre-desert phase in san diego county, california

Excavations at site U.C.L.J.-M-15 at Agua Hedionda Lagoon in southern California have provided a radiocarbon date of 7070 B.C. for a transitional phase between the San Dieguito and the La Jolla complex. The many radiocarbon dates taken from sites in San Diego County demonstrate a somewhat greater age than was hitherto generally expected for the three cultures in the area. The age of the most recent culture, the Yuman-Diegueno, has been extended to about 1000 B.C. The La Jolla shows an extremely long period of occupation spanning roughly 1000 B.C. to 7070 B.C. The third group, the San Dieguito, a pre-Desert culture, is still undated. Samples are now in process and should, judged from the new La Jolla dates, give a date earlier than 7000 B.C. for the earliest phases of the San Dieguito.     

Plutonium speciation in water from mono lake, california

The solubility of plutonium in Mono Lake water is enhanced by the presence of large concentrations of indigenous carbonate ions and moderate concentrations of fluoride ions. In spite of the complex chemical composition of this water, only a few ions govern the behavior of plutonium, as demonstrated by the fact that it was possible to duplicate plutonium speciation in a synthetic water containing only the principal components of Mono Lake water.     

Seismic evidence for a lower-crustal detachment beneath san francisco bay, california

Results from the San Francisco Bay area seismic imaging experiment (BASIX) reveal the presence of a prominent lower crustal reflector at a depth of approximately 15 kilometers beneath San Francisco and San Pablo bays. Velocity analyses indicate that this reflector marks the base of Franciscan assemblage rocks and the top of a mafic lower crust. Because this compositional contrast would imply a strong rheological contrast, this interface may correspond to a lower crustal detachment surface. If so, it may represent a subhorizontal segment of the North America and Pacific plate boundary proposed by earlier thermo-mechanical and geological models.     

Photosynthetic adaptation to high temperatures: a field study in death valley, california

The photosynthesis of Tidestromia oblongifolia (Amranthaceae) is remarkably well adapted to operate at the very high summer temperatures of the native habitat on the floor of Death Valley. The photosynthetic rate was very high and reached its daily maximum when the light intensity reached its noon maximum at the high leaf temperatures of 460 degrees to 50 degrees C which occurred at this time. At the intensity of noon sunlight the rate decreased markedly when the leaf temperature was experimentally reduced to below 44 degrees C. The optimum rate occurred at 47 degrees C. At this temperature the photosynthetic rate was essentially directly proportional to light intensity up to full sunlight.     

工程治理不同阶段石漠化变化特征研究

选择关岭花江和清镇红枫湖典型石漠化工程治理区为研究对象,利用小流域治理不同时段高分辨率遥感影像和实地样方监测手段,分析工程实施前后工程治理不同阶段治理区石漠化变化特征及年变化率差异.结果表明,经过工程治理后,两个治理区石漠化面积均减少,石漠化年变化率总体呈现出先增加后逐渐降低的趋势,一般在工程实施后第5年石漠化变化最明显.石漠化强度不同,治理成效也有一定差异,石漠化较弱的清镇治理区石漠化年变化率明显高于石漠化较强的花江治理区,说明石漠化越严重,治理成效越小,难度越大.     

岩相潮间带大型底栖生物多样性对铜藻藻场的响应

2011年4月至2012年1月间,在南麂列岛火焜岙铜藻藻场和藻场外沿岸潮间带各设1条断面,对大型底栖生物的种类和数量组成、物种多样性和群落结构特点进行调查。共鉴定出底栖生物108种,其中,底栖动物93种,底栖藻类15种;藻场与藻场外沿岸高潮区和中潮区的软体动物、节肢动物、环节动物、其他动物和藻类的年均生物量和丰度均无显著差异;低潮区藻场沿岸藻类生物量大于藻场外沿岸,其他类群的年均生物量和丰度无显著差异。每个季节各潮区除春季低潮区藻场沿岸的藻类生物量大于藻场外沿岸外,其他均无显著差异。藻场沿岸潮间带的优势种为条纹隔贻贝,藻场外沿岸为条纹隔贻贝和棘刺牡蛎。藻场沿岸和藻场外沿岸潮间带大型底栖生物的Shannon-Wiener指数(H'),Pielou均匀度指数(J)和Margalef丰富度指数(d)无显著差异(P0.05)。非度量多维标度(MDS)和聚类分析表明,群落结构主要与季节有关,但在铜藻藻场生长旺盛期与藻场有关,说明铜藻生长旺盛期对其群落结构有一定的影响。     

Calcite-impregnated defluidization structures in littoral sands of mono lake, california

Associated locally with well-known tufa mounds and towers of Mono Lake, California, are subvertical, concretionary sand structures through which fresh calcium-containing artesian waters moved up to sites of calcium carbonate precipitation beneath and adjacent to the lake. The structures include closely spaced calcite-impregnated columns, tubes, and other configurations with subcylindrical to bizarre cross sections and predominantly vertical orientation in coarse, barely coherent pumice sands along the south shore of the lake. Many structures terminate upward in extensive calcareous layers of caliche and tufa. Locally they enter the bases of tufa mounds and towers. A common form superficially resembles root casts and animal burrows except that branching is mostly up instead of down. Similar defluidization structures in ancient sedimentary rocks have been mistakenly interpreted as fossil burrows.     

Abnormal p-wave delays in the geysers--clear lake geothermal area, california

Large teleseismic delays, exceeding 1 second, are found near Mount Hannah in the Clear Lake volcanic field and in the steam-production area at The Geysers. The delays are superimposed on a general delay field of about 0.5 second extending over the volcanic rocks and the steam reservoir. It is postulated that a magma chamber under the surface volcanic rocks with a core of severely molten rock beneath Mount Hannah and a highly fractured steam reservoir probably underlain by partially molten rock at The Geysers are responsible for the observed delays. Both zones extend to depths of 20 kilometers or more.     

浙江紧水滩水库浮游植物群落结构季节变化特征

于2010年1、3、5、7、9、11月6次对紧水滩水库采样调查,并对浮游植物种类鉴定与数量统计,分析了浮游植物的优势种、多样性和群落结构季节变化特征.其结果为:共鉴定浮游植物284种,隶属7门105属.绿藻门最多,共51属139种,其次是硅藻门19属67种,蓝藻门22属52种,金藻门4属9种,甲藻门5属8种,裸藻门2属5种,隐藻门2属4种.浮游植物细胞丰度在1.04× 105-3.70×106个/L之间,平均丰度9.63×105个/L.多样性指数H''值为1.76-4.64,平均值3.09,丰富度指数D为0.48-2.80,平均值1.62,均匀度指数.J为0.51-1.26,平均值0.91.根据TSI(∑)并结合浮游植物群落结构对水质评价,紧水滩水库水质属于中-富营养状态.