排水沟塘分布特性及与农田水力联系对水质净化能力的影响

湿地是一种能够有效治理农业非点源污染的生态设施;在一些无法建设人工湿地的地区,现存的排水沟塘系统具有类似湿地的水质净化效果。为研究排水沟塘的分布以及其与农田水力联系对其水质净化能力的影响,该文以扬州市江都区昭关灌区为例,首先通过实地调查,明确研究区不同形式沟塘的分布规律,确定沟塘与农田逐级详细水力联系,然后建立理论分析模型,分别计算考虑与不考虑水力联系2种情况下,沟塘的污染物去除能力。结果表明,考虑水力联系后,污染物去除能力为不考虑水力联系的70%~84%;水质净化作用主要集中在一些面积较大的支沟和池塘。从农田排水的角度考虑,尺寸较大沟塘会出现一定的水力冗余,但是从水质改善的角度看,则有必要保留。研究区可通过较为简单的工程措施来优化水力联系,提高其污染物的去除能力。     

农地整理中灌排沟渠生态化设计

不适当的农地整理沟渠设计,会导致生物栖息地环境退化,直接影响农田生态系统的稳定性。研究解决农地整理中灌排沟渠的生态化设计技术,协调灌排沟渠的功能性、生态性和经济性,是未来农地整理急需要解决的重要技术环节。该文在系统分析国内外研究的基础上,以福建小湖镇项目区为例,提出了灌排沟渠生态化设计的原则和技术要点。项目区沟渠生态化设计的结果表明,农地整理中沟渠的生态化设计,关键是要把握好缓坡设计、混凝土与块石的结合、造型模板混凝土护岸、生态孔洞设置、深槽、复式断面、半生态混凝土渠道、膨润土防水毯渠道、改良的植生型防渗砌块渠道、动物脱逃斜坡与青蛙保育设计等10个技术环节;沟渠的生态化设计必须兼顾输水效率与生态功能;考虑青蛙等动物的保育,当渠深1.0?m,边坡垂直时,应当设置阶梯式生态板建造动物脱逃斜坡。可持续性评价表明,沟渠生态化设计具有良好的生态、经济和社会可持续性。     

农业非点源污染物在排水沟渠中的迁移转化研究进展

农业非点源污染物在排水沟渠中的迁移转化是农业非点源污染控制和管理的重要环节。在简要分析农田排水沟渠生态结构和生态特征的基础上,归纳总结了排水沟渠中水生植物、微生物和基质底泥各组分的生态功能以及各组分同氮磷污染物间的相互作用机理;结合目前研究现状,提出今后尚需进一步研究的问题,包括沟渠生态系统中各组分不同作用的量化研究、农业非点源污染物在排水沟渠中的迁移模型以及宏观层面上沟渠湿地运用与区域生态环境间关系的研究等。     

Patch and landscape characteristics associated with the distribution of woodland amphibians in an agricultural fragmented landscape: an information-theoretic approach

In the Midwestern United States, agricultural landscapes with scattered patches of fragmented forest are common. To investigate the relationship between amphibian distributions and wetland, woodlot, and landscape characteristics, we studied the pond-breeding amphibians within a 15,450-ha plot in rural north-central Ohio. We surveyed 25 woodlots and one area of continuous riparian forest for amphibians, and each surveyed woodland contained at least one temporary wetland. We used Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) to evaluate the effectiveness of 13 a priori models in predicting total amphibian species richness, anuran richness, caudate richness, and the presence of individual species in woodlots. We identified 13 species of amphibians within the study plot, and every woodlot contained at least one amphibian species. The most important variable in predicting total amphibian and anuran species richness was hydroperiod. For caudates, woodlot edge-to-area ratio, hydroperiod, pH, and ammonia were important characteristics in predicting species richness. Woodlots within agricultural landscapes are important refuges for amphibians.     

The effect of blanket bog drainage on habitat condition and on sheep grazing, evidence from a Welsh upland bog

There has been increasing interest in potential benefits to be gained by restoring damaged peatlands, with the majority of funding currently being driven by the recovery of protected habitats. However, few data are available linking vegetation community declines with peatland drainage, and so the potential for recovery remains difficult to predict. Surprisingly, there is a similar paucity of research demonstrating the extent of drainage impacts on grazing conditions for livestock, despite this being a priority amongst land managers. We attempt to address these two knowledge gaps, first by investigating whether ditches in blanket bog habitat have improved or increased grazing for sheep, and second by assessing the impact of ditches on the condition of vegetation communities. At an extensively drained upland blanket bog in Wales, currently undergoing ditch blocking restoration, we collected vegetation and sheep occurrence data across five catchments and over 2 years. We present evidence that drained areas had remained relatively wet and were less preferred by sheep. Furthermore, our results show that while sheep preferred graminoid-rich areas, drainage did not increase the abundance of this species group. Drainage at the site has, however, resulted in some degradation in blanket bog vegetation adjacent to ditches; although at the landscape scale, historic high grazing levels appear to explain much of the current poor ecological condition of the site. We conclude that drain-blocking restoration should not reduce sheep grazing conditions beyond their current relatively poor state, and thus in this respect may not represent a threat to hill farming productivity.     

Status, distribution and long-term changes in the waterbird community wintering in Doñana, south-west Spain

The Guadalquivir Marshes or Doñana wetland complex is the most important wintering site for migratory waterbirds in the Mediterranean region. However, there is a lack of previous information on the status of different species in this area. Using monthly aerial counts conducted from 1978 to 2005, we analysed the size of wintering populations of 21 waterbird species, their distribution within the Guadalquivir Marshes, and their long-term population trends. We used Underhill indices to replace missing values and to correct for flocks of unidentified ducks. Based on long-term means, we identified 16 species whose populations at Doñana exceed 1% of the biogeographical flyway population. For at least 1 month of the year, mean counts were around 10% of the flyway population for six species. The natural, temporary marshes of Doñana National Park were particularly important for Anatidae, ricefields for gulls, white storks and grey herons, fish ponds for flamingos, cormorants and avocets, and salt pans for shelduck. Four Anatidae species have undergone long-term declines and eight non-Anatidae have undergone long-term increases. Population trends were related with trophic guild, migratory status and habitat use. Winter visitors and herbivorous species showed more negative trends than resident, omnivorous-carnivorous species. Those species concentrated in strictly-protected natural marshes have tended to decline. The surface area of ricefields and fish ponds has increased over the study period, and bird species concentrated in these artificial wetlands have tended to increase. This raises questions about the value of waterbirds as flagship or umbrella species for wetland conservation.     

The conservation of freshwater fishes in the British isles

This paper briefly reviews the status and distribution of populations of freshwater fishes in the British Isles and their worth as a resource. The total value of freshwater fishes to the community is far greater than is normally appreciated and includes, in addition to the economic sport and commercial fisheries, amenity, recreational, educational, and scientific, aspects as well as a potentially useful store of genetic material for the future. The main human pressures on existing fish stocks are discussed under the headings of fisheries, pollution, and land-used. The principal trends in the British Isles are away from natural and stable mixed fish populations towards artificially maintained, unstable stocks of a few species of sporting or commercial value. In particular the rarer, more sensitive, fish stocks with poor powers of distribution are being eradicated and replaced by commoner, more robust forms with greater powers of distribution. The rarer species and genetic strains can only survive if constructive conservation projects are initiated expeditiously at a variety of levels.     

Habitat correlates of distribution and local population decline of the endemic Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus

Habitat-based statistical models relating patterns of presence and absence of species to habitat variables could be useful to resolve conservation-related problems and highlight the causes of population declines. In this paper, we apply such a modelling approach to an endemic amphibian, the Sardinian mountain newt Euproctus platycephalus, considered by IUCN a critically endangered species. Sardinian newts inhabit freshwater habitat in streams, small lakes and pools on the island of Sardinia (Italy). Reported declines of newt populations are not yet supported by quantitative data, however, they are perceived or suspected across the species' historical range. This study represents a first attempt trying to statistically relate habitat characteristics to Sardinian newt occurrence and persistence. Linear regression analysis revealed that newts are more likely to be found in sites with colder water temperature, less riparian vegetation and, marginally, absence of fish. The implications of the results for the conservation of the species are discussed, and suggestions for the short-term management of newt inhabited sites suggested.     

The environmental impact assessment of drainage systems: a case study of the Karun river sugarcane development project

Saline water can be drained from the plant root zone by developing a drainage network; therefore, the lack of control strategies for soil salinity and the subsurface water level will result in high salinity and nutrient concentrations. In large drainage systems, this issue becomes more important due to the large amount of water drained into the environment. Therefore, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) should be conducted before undertaking such developments. Due to the importance of wetlands that may be affected by the sugar cane fields located in Khuzestan Province in Southern Iran, the EIA process was implemented to evaluate this project. Three scenarios of a pre-drainage system development, drainage system development without management issues, and drainage system development with management issues are considered to help reduce the amount of water drained and protect the wetland. The scaling weighting checklist method was used to categorize the data and to ensure that no potential influence was overestimated. The results show the necessity of the application of management practices and drainage system development to protect the Shadegan International Wetland. Development of the project in its current condition is not recommended. Applying wastewater management, including cultivating salinity-resistant plants, is recommended as the most effective method.     

Effect of adjacent agricultural habitat on the distribution of passerines in natural grasslands

Habitat heterogeneity has often been acknowledged as a key factor determining which species occur in a landscape, but we still know little on the nature and relative importance of the processes controlling species distribution and abundance within complex landscape mosaics. We used a framework defined by the compensation, supplementation and complementation models to study the distribution of four species of passerines typical of steppe habitats and identify the degree to which landscape context accounts for their distribution in the steppe-agriculture mosaic of the Crau, southern France. Steppe habitat was the best predictor of species distribution in all cases and that densities were highest in steppe. One of these species, the Calandra lark, is strictly tied to the natural steppe habitats independently of its context. For another species, the Tawny pipit, we document a significant positive effect of the presence, near steppe habitat, of extensive pastoral habitats, such as fallows and grazed crops. Finally, the abundance of the two remaining species, Skylark and Short-toed lark, was negatively affected by the presence of non-herbaceous habitats in the vicinity of steppe habitat. This suggests that the quality of the steppe habitat, as perceived by these species is conditional to the nature of adjacent habitats. Our results suggest that the management of the context in which steppe habitat is imbedded will significantly affect the distribution and abundance of this group of passerines and determine both habitat quality and conservation value at a landscape scale.     

Habitat structure and proximity to forest edge affect the abundance and distribution of forest-dependent birds in tropical coastal forests of southeastern Madagascar

Despite the fact that Madagascar is classified a biological `hotspot' due to having both high levels of species endemism and high forest loss, there has been no published research on how Madagascan bird species respond to the creation of a forest edge or to degradation of their habitat. In this study, we examined how forest bird communities and different foraging guilds were affected by patch habitat quality and landscape context (forest core, forest edge and matrix habitat) in the threatened littoral forests of coastal southeastern Madagascar. We quantified habitat use and community composition of birds by conducting 20 point counts in each landscape contextual element in October and November 2002. We found that littoral forest core habitats had significantly (p<0.01) more bird species than forest edge and matrix habitats. Thirty-one (68%) forest dependent species were found to be edge-sensitive. Forest edge sites had fewer species, and a higher representation of common species than forest interior sites. Twenty-nine species were found in the matrix habitat, and the majority of matrix-tolerant forest species had their greatest abundance within littoral forest edge habitats. Guild composition also changed with landscape context. Unlike other tropical studies with which we are familiar, we found that frugivorous species were edge-sensitive while sallying insectivores were edge-preferring. The majority of canopy insectivores (n=15, 88%), including all six endemic vanga species, were edge-sensitive. When habitat quality was assessed, the distributions of nine edge-sensitive species were significantly (p<0.01) affected by changes in habitat complexity and vegetation vertical structure in core or edge point counts. Therefore, we believe that changes in vegetation structure at the edge of littoral forest remnants may be a key indicator of mechanisms involved in edge sensitivity of forest dependent species in these forests. Our findings indicate that habitat fragmentation and degradation affect Madagascan bird communities and that these processes threaten many species. With continued deforestation and habitat degradation in Madagascar, we predict the further decline of many bird species.     

The influence of soil processes on carbon isotope distribution and turnover in the British uplands

Understanding the natural variation of carbon within the soil, and between soil types, is crucial to improve predictive models of carbon cycling in high and mid-latitude ecosystems in response to global warming. We measured the carbon isotope distributions (¹²C, ¹³C and ¹⁴C) in soil organic matter (SOM) from Podzols, Brown Podzolic soils and Stagnohumic Gleysols from the British uplands, which were then compared with the total amounts and turnover of carbon in these soils. We did so by sampling at 2-cm intervals down six profiles of each soil type. The average amount of carbon stored in the top 28 cm of the Stagnohumic Gleysols is twice that of the other two soils. The ¹³C content and ¹⁴C age show a general increase with depth in all soils, and there is also a significant correlation between isotopic variation and the main pedogenic features. The latter suggests that soil-forming processes are significant in determining the carbon isotope signatures retained in SOM. Organic matter formed since 1960 is not found below 5 cm in any of the soils. Evidently organic detritus in the surface layers (LF and Oh) is rapidly mineralized. This accords with our modelled net annual C fluxes which show that more than 80% of the CO₂ emanating from these soils is derived from the top 5 cm of each profile. Although these soils contain much carbon, they do not appear to assimilate and retain SOM rapidly. The mean residence time of most of their carbon is in the 2–50 years range, so the soils are fairly ineffective sinks for excess CO₂ in the atmosphere. Under the predicted future ‘greenhouse’ climate, likely to favour more rapid microbial decomposition of organic materials, these soils are a potential source of CO₂ and are therefore likely to accelerate global warming.     

The dispersal of the earthworm Aporrectodea giardi responds faster to habitat quality than to cumulative use of habitat in experimental conditions

The study of the spatial distribution of soil organisms is one of the key research areas for understanding soil functioning. However, we still know little about the role of dispersal in the distribution of soil organisms such as earthworms. Critically, the relative strength of the external factors that trigger dispersal movements has not been documented. In this work, we test the relative importance of habitat quality and the cumulative use of habitat as drivers of dispersal of an anecic earthworm (Aporrectodea giardi) by observing their dispersal rates over 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 days. The results suggest that cumulative dispersal rates were higher and reached a maximum value more rapidly when individuals were introduced into unsuitable rather than suitable soil. This suggests that earthworm dispersal responded more rapidly and this response was more pronounced with respect to the cumulative use of the habitat. It seemed that there were two types of dispersal: one triggered quickly to escape unsuitable conditions and another in response to a cumulative use of the habitat.     

Historical impacts on linear habitats: The present distribution of grassland species in forest-edge vegetation

In highly fragmented agricultural landscapes, abandoned forests and dense coniferous plantations established on former semi-natural grassland remain potentially suitable sites for the restoration of grassland communities. The roadside vegetation along the edges of these remnant forests could be a key landscape component, because these communities retain pools of grassland species that are maintained by regular mowing alongside public roads to improve traffic safety. We evaluated the effect of land-use history and the proportion of suitable surrounding habitats on the present distribution of grassland species in roadside forest-edge vegetation. The average number of grassland species was significantly lower at sites that had been cultivated since the 1950s, but it did not differ between uncultivated sites and sites cultivated during the 1880s. Positive effects of the proportion of suitable habitats around the sites were detected at specific spatial scales (500- and 700-m squares), and these effects were indistinct at sites that had lost populations to cultivation. In addition to the present habitat conditions (e.g., forest type), the best-fit model for explaining the present distribution of grassland species at a site included both the site’s land-use history and the past proportion of suitable habitat around the sites. Even in remnant linear habitats such as forest-edge vegetation along roads, historical patterns of site conditions and the landscape matrix at optimum scales can provide useful knowledge to improve explanations of the present distributions of grassland species. These information can help identify abandoned or planted forest sites potentially suitable for restoration with grassland species.     

Spatial variation in drainage characteristics and geomorphic instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH); implications for watershed management—A case study of the Varada River basin,Northern Karnataka

Geomorphological characteristics can be treated as signatures of hydrological responses. Geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH) is of utmost use in planning watershed management programs on a broad scale in absence of hydrologic data. Fifth order basins from different agroclimatic zones in the Varada River basin were selected to understand the spatial variation in drainage characteristics. These sub-basins show significant differences in their morphometric properties such as basin area, drainage density, bifurcation ratio, circularity ratio, constant of channel maintenance etc. These differences reflect variation in the hydrological process and geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH) of different sub-basins and can be used to understand watershed management aspects. Fifth order sub-basin in the Southern Transition agroclimatic zone is potential for artificial recharge programs. Sub-basins in the Hilly non-forest zone on the north are ideal for surface water storage like tank development program while Forested Hilly zone on the north are environmentally sensitive and prone to erosion.     

The value of bat-boxes in the conservation of Pipistrellus pygmaeus in wetland rice paddies

Wetlands with rice paddies are key habitats in the conservation of biodiversity in the Mediterranean Region and are potentially suitable habitats for foraging bats, since they provide food (insects) and drinking places; nevertheless, many wetlands lack natural roosting sites. A bat-box program designed to ascertain bat-box preferences was initiated in 1999 in the Ebro Delta (NE Spain), one of the most important wetlands in Europe. A total of 69 bat-boxes of two types (single and double compartment) were placed on three supports (trees, houses, and posts) facing east or west. Pipistrellus pygmaeus occupancy rates and the number of individuals per box were monitored on 16 occasions from July 2000 to February 2004. Bat-box preferences were only detected during the breeding season. Bat abundance was higher in east-facing boxes, in double-compartment boxes, and in boxes placed on posts and houses. Boxes on natural supports (trees) were avoided. Bat-box occupancy rates were higher during the breeding season (95.6%, spring-summer) due to the formation of maternity colonies. The number of individuals in bat-boxes during the breeding season increased as the study period progressed (from summer 2000 to summer 2003), suggesting a high degree of acceptance by maternity colonies of these alternative locations. Occupancy rates observed were the highest ever reported in bat-box scientific literature. This study highlights the role of bat-box programs as useful alternative management tools for the conservation of bat populations in highly productive wetland habitats where few natural roost sites are available.     

Development of predictive models to explain the distribution of the West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus in tropical watercourses

Logistic regressions were used to study the relationship between habitat variables and the use of tropical watercourses by the West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus at Northeastern Costa Rica and Southern Nicaragua. Presence of manatees in watercourses was assessed through direct and reported sightings of individuals and feeding signs on aquatic vegetation. Indirect methods provided good approximations to the actual distribution that could not have been achieved through direct observations or aerial surveys. Best multivariate models showed that manatees were most present in watercourses that presented abundant aquatic vegetation, warm, and clear waters, high forest cover, and are wider than those where the species is absent. Although habitat variables that explain habitat use of manatees differed for the two sectors found within the study area, manatees preferred lagoons to other watercourses in both areas. These findings point to forest clearing on the shores as a threat for manatee conservation. Habitat variables are excellent predictors of manatee presence, and predictive models as those developed in this study can help assess potential distribution of manatees in areas where this information is lacking as well as to assist identify potential reintroduction areas.     

The role of fragment area and isolation in the conservation of heathland species

Heathland area in the northwestern part of Belgium has been strongly reduced during the past 200 years, and the remaining heathland is forced back into several small and isolated relics. In this study, we investigated how the fragmentation of these heathlands affects the distribution patterns of heathland plant species. Furthermore, we tested whether differences in patch occupancy patterns could be explained in terms of life history traits related to dispersal capacity and persistence. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that the incidence of almost three quarters of the species was influenced by fragmentation. For the majority of these species, isolation was the most important factor determining their presence or absence in a heathland patch. Differences between the species in isolation-sensitivity could be attributed mainly to differences in seed bank characteristics, with species having a long living seed bank being less affected by isolation. In contrast, species having mechanisms facilitating long distance dispersal were as much affected by isolation as species lacking these mechanisms.Our results suggest that for the majority of the species extinction in a patch can be prevented by dispersal from neighbouring patches. Further isolation of the patches should therefore be prevented and connectivity between the patches needs to be assured. As almost none of the species is affected by a declining patch area, for most even small patches are important for their survival. Hence, conservation efforts should focus not only on large heathlands.     

Partitioning of molecular variation at local spatial scales in the vulnerable neotropical freshwater turtle, Hydromedusa maximiliani (Testudines, Chelidae): implications for the conservation of aquatic organisms in natural hierarchical systems

Hydromedusa maximiliani is a vulnerable freshwater turtle endemic to mountainous regions of the Atlantic rainforest in southeastern Brazil. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were surveyed with the purpose of assessing the genetic structure and determining the partitioning of molecular variation in H. maximiliani across the natural spatial hierarchical scale of its habitat. The goal of the study was to integrate ecological data with estimates of molecular genetics diversity to develop strategies for the conservation of this freshwater turtle. Specimens were sampled from rivers and streams across three drainages. Nine of the 80 primers used generated 27 scoreable bands of which 10 (37%) were polymorphic and produced 16 RAPD phenotypes. Significant heterogeneity was found in the distribution of RAPD molecular phenotypes across the three drainages. Analysis of molecular variance for molecular phenotypes showed that the heterogeneity had a spatial structure since a significant amount (22%) of the total variance was attributable to variation among rivers and streams. Since the genetic variation of this turtle seems to be structured according to the natural hierarchical system of rivers and streams within drainages, it is suggested that local populations should be considered as separate management units.