Partial migration and philopatry of Yellowstone pronghorn

Spring migration may facilitate survival and recruitment in mammals by reducing predation risk and increasing access to higher-quality forage. The Yellowstone pronghorn Antilocapra americana population (<250 animals) retains one of only two pronghorn migrations remaining in the greater Yellowstone region of the western United States. We used 5743 telemetry locations of 44 adult, female pronghorn during June 1999-August 2005 to determine migration patterns, seasonal distributions, and individual fidelity to migratory strategies. Yellowstone pronghorn were partially migratory, with >70% of the pronghorn population migrating 15-50 km to 4 contiguous summering areas and <30% remaining year-round on the winter range. Most radio-collared pronghorn showed fidelity across years to their migration strategy and summer use area, but approximately 20% migrated in some years, but not others. This behavioral flexibility is consistent with the hypothesis that migration in Yellowstone pronghorn is a conditional strategy and likely contributed to dynamic and rapid changes in the proportion of migrants from 80% to 20% and back to 70% during 1967-2005. All migrant pronghorn traveled 10 km over a topographic bottleneck (Mt. Everts) separating the winter and summer ranges, primarily using grassland-sagebrush pathways through conifer forest. We recommend continued protection of this corridor because increased mortality and a decreasing proportion of migrants may be as important a threat to the persistence of partially migratory populations as habitat fragmentation, especially when local resources for non-migrants are inadequate to sustain the entire population.     

Effects of a power line on migration and range use of wild reindeer

Linear infrastructures such as roads, pipelines and power lines can hinder Rangifer migration and reduce the total amount of area available for foraging. We studied the barrier and aversion effect of a 66 kV power line transecting the range of wild reindeer in North Ottadalen, south central Norway using aerial surveys of reindeer distribution (direct measurement of reindeer use) and lichen measurements (indirect measurement of reindeer use) at varying distances from both sides of the power line. We present a clear definition of the expected barrier and aversion effects, and present specific hypotheses and predictions based on these two terms that are often used unclearly in the literature. The aerial surveys and ground observations showed that reindeer crossed underneath and grazed under and on both sides of the power line during 14 out of the 22 years (63.6%) surveys were conducted over the last 31 years. This behaviour was confirmed by the lichen measurements, indicating a higher use of lichen pastures along ridges close to and under the power line compared to those at increasing distances and up to 3 km from both sides of the power line. This winter grazing pattern probably reflects the topographical channeling of reindeer to the ridges along an 8 km wide topographical corridor encompassing the power line and cannot be attributed to the power line itself. We found that direct measurement data (visual observations such as ours or GPS/telemetry tracking) provide less ambiguous information for testing barrier and aversion effects than indirect measurement data (pasture/lichen measurements) that are likely influenced by numerous uncontrollable environmental variables independent of reindeer grazing. Our results contrast with recent studies indicating strong barrier and aversion effects of similar power lines for Rangifer migration and grazing behaviour in alpine terrain.     

Carrying capacity, migration, and dispersal in Yellowstone bison

The conservation of bison in Yellowstone National Park, from near extinction in the late 19th century to a recent high of 5000, has led to long-term societal conflict regarding perceived overabundance, trans-boundary movements, and potential transmission of brucellosis from bison to livestock. We synthesized available information to address two central questions in this debate: (1) has the Yellowstone bison population surpassed numbers that can be supported by the forage base in the park; and (2) why do some bison move outside the park during winter, even when numbers are below food-limited carrying capacity? A spatially-explicit model of the system that integrated abiotic variables with biotic processes indicated bison have not reached a theoretical food-limited carrying capacity of 6200 in Yellowstone National Park. However, more bison began to migrate earlier to lower-elevation winter ranges as numbers increased and climatic factors interacted with density to limit nutritional intake and foraging efficiency. A gradual expansion of the winter range as bison numbers increased enabled relatively constant population growth and increased food-limited carrying capacity. Current management actions attempt to preserve bison migration to essential winter range areas within and adjacent to the park, while actively preventing dispersal and range expansion to outlying areas via hazing and removals (i.e., dispersal sink). A population of 2500–4500 bison should satisfy collective interests concerning the park’s forage base, bison movement ecology, retention of genetic diversity, brucellosis risk management, and prevailing social conditions.     

土壤-植物系统中氟的迁移转化规律及研究展望

氟不仅以气体的形态存在于大气中,而且还以水溶性化合物形态存在于土壤和地下水。氟污染的地区,作物因土壤中氟过量而出现生长异常,人和动物通过饮水和食物摄取过多的氟而使健康受到严重威胁。本文从氟在土壤中的地球化学特征、作物对氟的吸收富集、氟污染对人体和动物健康的危害等几个方面的国内外研究进展出发,就氟对土壤的生态环境效应进行综述,同时对今后的相关研究进行了展望。     

Death from anthropogenic causes is partially compensatory in recovering wolf populations

There is substantial interest in how mortality rates affect animal populations, but mechanisms explaining when and under what circumstances particular causes of death incur demographic responses are far from clear. In theory, small or expanding populations should experience additive mortality from anthropogenic causes of death, but whether such effects are homogenous across a population or expressed only in certain high-risk individuals is open for debate. We used competing risks models to analyze mortality patterns among radio-collared wolves (Canis lupus, n = 711) from three populations in northwestern United States (1982-2004), and evaluated the degree to which anthropogenic mortality was additive vs. compensatory to natural demographic processes. Almost 80% (n = 320) of wolves dying of known fates were killed by anthropogenic causes (legal control, illegal killing, harvest in Canada, vehicle collision), and additive effects of anthropogenic mortality were most pronounced in northwestern Montana where wolf exposure to humans and livestock was high compared to either the Greater Yellowstone Area or central Idaho, where anthropogenic risk was lower. In contrast, risk from natural hazards was lower in northwestern Montana than in the other areas, implying some degree of compensatory mortality from anthropogenic risk. Animals recruited to the study following human-wolf conflict had markedly higher anthropogenic risk than those recruited for standard monitoring purposes, and juvenile wolves as well as dispersers, succumbed to higher anthropogenic risk. Multivariate models revealed that increasing wolf population density promoted higher anthropogenic risk and reduced natural risk, indicating that partially-compensatory effects of anthropogenic mortality actually became increasingly additive with population density. The observed compensatory mortality and hazard heterogeneity in our study implies that demographic responses to mortality risk may be complex and more subtle than previously thought; the density-dependent effect of anthropogenic mortality portends a stabilizing influence of humans on recovering wolf populations. We conclude that future assessment of the role of anthropogenic mortality should include individual-based hazard estimation as a complement to traditional population-level approaches.     

Assessing the effects of a highway on a threatened species using Before–During–After and Before–During–After-Control–Impact designs

Due to the growing awareness of potential impacts of roads, managers demand well-designed studies about the implications of linear infrastructures on ecosystems. We illustrate the application of Before–During–After and Before–During–After-Control–Impact designs (BDA and BDACI) to assess effects of highway construction and operation using a population of great bustards (Otis tarda) as a model. Based on a time series of demographic and distribution data (1997–2009), we developed generalized additive models and classification trees to test the effect of road distance on bustard distribution, identify road-effect distances and explore the seasonality of these effects. Two control zones were selected to test the changes between construction phases on productivity, and population trends using TRIM models. From the start of the road construction, great bustards tended to avoid close proximity to the highway (ca. 560–750 m threshold distance). The exclusion band was narrower during the breeding season. In addition, family groups were less tolerant to highway operation disturbances, as shown by their higher distance effect (ca. 1300 m). Population trends did not differ between impact and control zones during the construction. However, once the highway was in operation, bustard numbers declined gradually up to 50% in the impact zone, remained stable in the closest control zone, and increased in the zone located at the greatest distance from the highway. The effects on density of family groups were less evident. Our approach provides information relevant to great bustard conservation and suggests methods for obtaining information of interest to road managers, that could be applied to linear infrastructures with others species.     

Wind dispersal of oribatid mites as a mode of migration

Oribatid mites are important colonizers of young soils, but little is known about their immigration pathways. In this study, one often-stated hypothesis was tested quantitatively: that wind is an important dispersal pathway. The aim was (1) to detect wind dispersal in oribatid mites (using sticky traps at different heights above ground level) and to determine factors influencing wind dispersal, (2) to investigate whether oribatids can survive wind dispersal and immigrate by wind into young soils (using mini-pitfall traps in test plots with oribatid-free substrate, active immigration being prohibited) and (3) to find out whether those oribatids are able to colonize young soils (using soil cores from the test plots). The results demonstrate (1) that mainly arboreal oribatid species were dispersed by wind - even at 160 m height - and can therefore be spread over large distances. Nevertheless, about 10% of the wind-dispersed oribatid mites belonged to species able to live in the soil and may therefore be potential colonizers of young soils. The number of specimen and species transported by wind was the highest close to the soil surface and the number of dispersed individuals was mainly influenced by seasonality and humidity. The results also suggest that the probability of a soil oribatid being dispersed by wind depends on its original microhabitat (tree habitats > soil surface > deeper soil layers) and its body weight. It was also shown that soil-dwelling oribatid mites survived wind dispersal and immigrated by wind into the test plots and that colonization of the test plots took at least 2 months longer than immigration. However, colonization success was low during the first 2 years of investigation and only Trichoribates incisellus was found several times in the nutrient-poor substrate. Therefore, wind dispersal is an important migration pathway, especially for arboreal oribatids. We suggest that immigration into young soils most likely occurs by repeated short-distance dispersal. Only some species are able to survive the hostile conditions of wind dispersal as well as of pioneer soils, but those that do are potentially the founders of new populations.     

Factors influencing the dispersion and fragmentation of endangered mountain caribou populations

Mountain caribou, an ecotype of woodland caribou, are endangered due to the loss and fragmentation of old forests on which they depend. However, a wider array of natural and human factors may limit caribou persistence and isolate populations, and understanding these may help to stop or reverse population declines by forecasting risk and targeting core habitat areas and key linkages for protection, enhancement or restoration. Across most of the historic range of mountain caribou, we conducted a bi-level analysis to evaluate factors related to the persistence of, and landscape occupancy within, remaining subpopulations. We used caribou location data from 235 radio-collared animals across 13 subpopulations to derive a landscape occupancy index, while accounting for inherent sampling biases. We analyzed this index against 33 landscape variables of forest overstory, land cover, terrain, climate, and human influence. At the metapopulation level, the persistence of subpopulations relative to historic range was explained by the extent of wet and very wet climatic conditions, the distribution of both old (>140 yr) forests, particularly of cedar and hemlock composition, and alpine areas. Other important factors were remoteness from human presence, low road density, and little motorized access. At the subpopulation level, the relative intensity of caribou landscape occupancy within subpopulation bounds was explained by the distribution of old cedar/hemlock and spruce/subalpine fir forests and the lack of deciduous forests. Other factors impeding population contiguity were icefields, non-forested alpine, hydro reservoirs, extensive road networks, and primary highway routes. Model outputs at both levels were combined to predict the potential for mountain caribou population persistence, isolation, and restoration. We combined this output with the original occupancy index to gauge the potential vulnerability of caribou to extirpation within landscapes known to have recently supported animals. We discuss implications as they pertain to range-wide caribou population connectivity and conservation.     

Genetic diversity and relatedness of boreal caribou populations in western Canada

We studied genetic diversity within and gene flow among six ‘threatened’ populations of boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) inhabiting Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Mean expected heterozygosity (H_E) across 11 loci spanned a narrow range between 0.74 and 0.79. Estimates of H_E were in the mid to high range of those typically observed in natural populations of large mammals, including caribou, and were not suggestive of any immediate threat to survival. We concluded that recent anthropogenic fragmentation of caribou range in western Canada has yet to affect genetic diversity of populations. Analysis of population structure identified a region of relatively low gene flow corresponding with the valley of the Peace River. The highest value of F_ST observed between populations on the same side of the river was 0.025, whereas the lowest value that spanned the river was 0.044. Confirming this result, an assignment test demonstrated that 96.5% of animals could be assigned to the correct side of the Peace River, though only 66.0% of animals could, on average, be assigned to populations of actual origin. Taken as a whole, our results support the existence of two discrete metapopulations bisected by the Peace River, within each of which there exist multiple populations, or at least multiple regions, which experience considerably higher levels of interchange. For caribou inhabiting the boreal plains, large rivers such as the Peace and Mackenzie may serve as biologically meaningful boundaries for managing metapopulations.     

Survival, dispersal and early migration movements of captive-bred juvenile eastern loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus migrans)

Avian captive breeding programs pose a particular challenge with migratory birds due to natal dispersal and high mortality during migration. In Canada a captive breeding program for the eastern loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus migrans) has released over 400 juveniles since 2001, but the fate of almost all these birds is unknown. In 2007 and 2008, we used radio-telemetry of captive-reared juveniles to determine pre-migration survival and dispersal movements away from the release site. Overall, 76% (29 of 38) of shrikes survived from release to the initiation of migration and the daily survival rate was 0.987. Most deaths (78%) occurred in females, suggesting a possible sex-biased pre-migration mortality. Shrikes typically dispersed independently, there was little overlap between dispersal sites, and the average pre-migration dispersal distance from the release site was 4.2 km (SD 2.4). Release date was negatively correlated with time spent at the release site prior to dispersal, but did not have a significant effect on survival, time spent at dispersal sites or distance of dispersal. Migration initiation date ranged over 6 weeks and early-hatched juveniles were the first to begin migration. Using aerial telemetry, we located five of 29 birds that had begun migration at distances up to 180 km from the release site; no birds were found dead after initiating migration despite the extensive search area. High juvenile survival to migration for captive-reared juveniles suggests that the captive breeding and release program has high potential to augment wild populations of the eastern loggerhead shrike.     

The conservation value of urban riparian areas for landbirds during spring migration: Land cover, scale, and vegetation effects

Urbanization changes bird community structure during the breeding season but little is known about its effects on migrating birds. We examined patterns of habitat use by birds at the local and landscape level during 2002 spring migration at 71 riparian plots along an urban gradient in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Using linear regression, we examined variation in relative density, species richness, and evenness of four migratory guilds associated with natural land covers and building area at four scales (50, 100, 250, 500 m radial buffers). We also examined the influence of local vegetation using multiple regression models. As building area increased, riparian forests tended to be narrower and have fewer native trees and shrubs. In general, native birds were positively associated with tree cover (within 250-500 m of stream) and native vegetation, and negatively with building area (within 250 m); exotic species responded inversely to these measures. Short-distance migrants and permanent residents displayed the weakest responses to landscape and vegetation measures. Neotropical migrants responded strongest to landscape and vegetation measures and were positively correlated with areas of wide riparian forests and less development (>250 m). Resident Neotropical migrants increased with wider riparian forests (>500 m) without buildings, while en-route migrants utilized areas having a wide buffer of tree cover (250-500 m) regardless of buildings; both were positively associated with native vegetation composition and mature trees. Consequently, developed areas incorporating high native tree cover are important for conserving Neotropical migrants during stopover.     

Increasing magnetic susceptibility of the suspended particles in Yangtze River and possible contribution of fly ash

The magnetic properties of soil have been increasingly applied as a rapid and economic way to monitor environment pollution. Sediments from a growing islet in the lower reach of Yangtze River as well as the suspended particles in the surrounding river water were used to identify anthropogenic influence on the magnetic susceptibility (MS) of the Yangtze River sediment. Results show that newly deposited sediments in 2004 have significantly higher MS (~ 150 × 10⁻⁸ m³ kg⁻¹) on average than that of the ancient deposit (~ 50 × 10⁻⁸ m³ kg^− 1). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the extracted magnetic particles from newly deposited sediments and fly ash samples indicates large contribution of fly ash for the samples with elevated MS. Dependence of MS on grain size is evident, which enable calculation of the MS of suspended particles from river sediment. A value of 32 × 10⁻⁸ m³ kg^− 1is inferred for the suspended particles in ancient Yangtze River. The records from 2004 to 2010 indicate progressive increase in the MS of the suspended particles in Yangtze River from 67 to 96 × 10⁻⁸ m³ kg^− 1, which is much higher than that of the ancient. Mass balance calculation based on the increasing MS suggests that at least 7% of the fly ash produced within the catchment of Yangtze River was released into the environment.     

Movements and activities of white-lipped peccaries in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

The conservation of remnant populations of white-lipped peccaries in Central America depends on adequate documentation of their habitat needs and behavior. Thus, we monitored the activity patterns, local distributions, and home ranges of 36 (25F:11M) radio-marked white-lipped peccaries, all members of a single “super” herd, in part of Corcovado National Park, their largest stronghold in Costa Rica, during 1996-1998. Peccaries were diurnal all year with a period of reduced activity during the middle of the day. They were found more often than expected (vs. random use) in primary forest during February to May, in secondary and coastal forest during June to September, and in herbaceous swamp during October to January, corresponding to relative fruit abundance. Overall, the peccary herd ranged over an area of <40 km², but use of the area shifted seasonally and movements were reduced when fruit was most abundant. Our data agree with the suggestion that peccary density may be higher where the interspersion or close proximity and mix of seasonally important habitats is high, and thus where peccaries do not have to travel as far for food. Habitat interspersion is therefore a significant conservation concern and should be addressed to make certain that peccary populations are not limited.     

钙磷对酸铝土壤中苜蓿根瘤菌迁移定殖和群体感应的影响

采用分室(内、外室)培养法,以紫花苜蓿及其耐酸根瘤菌91522为材料,在酸性土壤(pH4.45)中额外补充Al3+至中度铝毒水平,从培养装置根箱外接种,探讨了补充Ca2+、P后,耐酸苜蓿根瘤菌在酸性土壤上的存活、迁移以及群体感应的变化动态。结果表明,补充5 mmol kg-1Ca2+处理的土壤根瘤菌的数量在97 d种植期内均显著高于对照(Ca0P0,即无Ca2+无P处理),Ca2+5 mmol kg-1+P 0μmol kg-1处理近根区(距苜蓿植株根1～2 cm)土壤最大根瘤菌数量为同期对照的6.15倍;在此基础上补充P后根瘤菌的数量进一步增加,"Ca2+5 mmol kg-1+P 4μmol kg-1"处理近根区最大根瘤菌数量为同期对照处理的9.40倍。因此推断Ca2+和P的上述作用存在交互效应。施加Ca2+、P能够显著提高土壤中根瘤菌群体感应物质N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯衍生物(N-acyl-homoserine actones,AHLs)的含量,且Ca2+5 mmol kg-1效果好于Ca2+10mmol kg-1处理。根瘤菌数量在远根区(距苜蓿植株根6～8 cm)与近根区变化规律一致,即接种1周后根瘤菌数量由远根区向近根区逐渐增加,接种后30 d内达到最高值,之后数量下降并趋于稳定。但近根区根瘤菌数量和AHLs含量均高于远根区,说明宿主根际微环境也能够影响根瘤菌数量和群体感应。初步认为,酸性有铝土壤上补充Ca2+5 mmol kg-1和P 30μmol kg-1对耐酸根瘤菌的存活、迁移和群体感应有良好的改善效果。该处理最终显著地增强了对酸性土壤极为敏感的苜蓿植株的耐酸铝胁迫能力,较对照显著(p0.05)改善了酸铝胁迫下苜蓿的植株根鲜重(为对照的4.67倍)、地上部鲜重(3.10倍)、含氮量(2.47倍)和根瘤数(14.74倍)等农艺性状。     

Fumonisin disruption of ceramide biosynthesis in maize roots and the effects on plant development and Fusarium verticillioides-induced seedling disease

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides infects maize and produces fumonisins, inhibitors of ceramide synthase. Seeds of the cultivar Silver Queen were inoculated with fumonisin-producing or non-fumonisin-producing strains of F. verticillioides. Leaf lesion incidence and severity of effects on root and stalk growth were significantly correlated with fumonisin in roots and disruption of sphingolipid metabolism in roots. Uninoculated seeds grown in soil watered with solutions of fumonisin B1 exhibited above-ground symptoms indicative of F. verticillioides-induced seedling disease and dose-dependent reduction in root mass that was inversely correlated with fumonisin B1, sphingoid bases, and sphingoid base 1-phosphates in roots. There was also evidence of an adaptive response to disrupted sphingolipid metabolism in both the virulence and watering assays, suggesting induction of pathways responsible for metabolism of sphingoid base 1-phosphates after prolonged exposure. The results suggest that fumonisin, and its effects on sphingolipids, could contribute to all aspects of F. verticillioides maize seedling disease.     

冻融作用对农田磷素转化迁移影响研究进展

冻融作用引起水土流失,造成磷分等无机污染物流到下游江河湖泊等水体,引起非点源污染,造成土壤肥力下降、生态环境恶化等问题。首先从农田土壤磷分、植物体内磷分以及微生物生物量磷3方面介绍冻融作用对磷分转化迁移的影响;然后对冻融作用磷流失的防治提出增施有机肥、合理密植、恢复并改良植被、封育、退耕还林(草)等建议;最后,提出我国未来冻融作用对磷分转化迁移研究在土壤磷分水平、垂直方向上迁移转化机制,植物体内磷分迁移转化机制,微生物生物量磷迁移转化机制,以及冻融过程磷分流失模型方面提出研究展望。     

人为干扰对泰山景观格局时空变化的影响

以TM影像和野外调查为数据源,3S技术为研究手段,对比分析了泰山风景区1986～2001年间不同人为干扰程度区域的景观结构、景观异质性动态变化特征以及景观多样性高程的分异。结果表明,泰山南部人为干扰斑块动态变化高于北部,南部景观结构变化明显,北部轻微。景观多样性动态变化主要是在北部海拔900m以上和南部900m以下区域,揭示了人为活动是斑块分割的主因,景观格局的动态变化取决于人为干扰的程度。研究结果从景观生态学角度为泰山合理调整自然和人为影响,构建理想的景观格局和生态环境奠定了基础。     

Frequency of movements of small mammals among Atlantic Coastal Forest fragments in Brazil

Rates of interfragment movements were estimated for small mammals inhabiting a group of eight Atlantic Coastal Forest fragments, surrounded by grassland matrix, in order to understand the degree to which each species' population was isolated. Didelphis aurita showed the greatest movement rate (19.4% of recaptures showing interfragment movements), followed by Metachirus nudicaudatus (10.0%), Philander frenata (7.5%), Nectomys squamipes (3.6%), Micoureus demerarae (1.2%) and Akodon cursor (0.25%). Interfragment movements were not detected for Caluromys philander, Oecomys concolor and Oligoryzomys nigripes. Species can be placed along a continuum which goes from species that are represented by a single population in the whole study area, through those with metapopulations, to species that have isolated populations in each fragment. Ability to move among fragments was not related to abundance in the matrix; nevertheless, such ability helps to explain the persistence of species in fragments otherwise too small to support viable populations.     

我国农业剩余劳动力转移及吸纳对策研究

我国农业剩余劳动力很多,已制约了农村经济的发展。文中系统地剖析了我国农业剩余劳动力产生的原因,有针对性地提出我国农业剩余劳动力转移及吸纳的对策建议,有助于逐步实现我国农业劳动力资源的流动及优化设置。     

Discrimination of lithogenic and anthropogenic influences on topsoil magnetic susceptibility in Central Europe

The study was performed on the area of the three countries involved in the MAGPROX project (Poland, Czech Rep., Germany). In the first stage the basic map of magnetic susceptibility based on the field topsoil measurement was compiled with an average grid density of 10 km. In the second stage of the study, vertical distribution of magnetic susceptibility of ca. 600 topsoil cores (0.3 m long), collected over central Europe, was examined with respect to the anthropogenic or lithogenic influence on magnetic susceptibility of the soil surface, with the focus being on the interpretation of the areas showing high surface susceptibility values. The maximum values were mostly observed in depths of 3–4 cm. In general seven different types of susceptibility profiles from forest areas and one typical for urban soil are presented. They are a result of a combination of natural (litho- and pedogenic) and anthropogenic contributions. Our results prove that soil profiles, dominated by anthropogenic influence due to atmospherically deposited dust, are characterized by magnetically enhanced humuous layer, corresponding to layer with the highest concentration of heavy metals. Moreover, forest soils show in these cases higher magnetic susceptibility than soils in open areas (grassland, meadows or arable soils).