菲律宾丘陵地土壤保持

丘陵地土壤侵蚀被普遍认为是菲律宾国内最严重的环境问题 ,影响到了土地总面积的 6 3%～ 76 % (Ｐａｎｉｎｇｂａｔａｎ ,1 990 )。近 2 0年来 ,政府和非政府组织已经实施了丘陵地发展项目 ,其中的一个主要组成部分就是改进丘陵地农民使用的土壤保持措施 (如丘陵地农业技术或Ｓ     

Complexation of imazalil with beta-cyclodextrin,residue uptake,persistence, and activity against penicillium decay in citrus fruit following postharvest dip treatments

A method for the inclusion of imazalil (IMZ) in the beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD), structural characterization of the inclusion complex and its antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum assessed by in vitro and in vivo tests are reported. According to the starting stoichiometry of betaCD with respect to IMZ, an equimolar ratio beta-cyclodextrin-IMZ (betaCD-IMZ) was detected by (1)H NMR. In vitro assays showed that the freshly prepared betaCD-IMZ was as effective as IMZ, although 1- and 4-day-old betaCD-IMZ mixtures were more effective. Studies on Star Ruby grapefruit showed no significant differences in residue uptake between treatments with an IMZ commercially available fungicide (Deccozil) or betaCD-IMZ when equal active ingredient (a.i.) concentrations (250 mg/L) and dip temperatures (20 or 50 degrees C) were used. By contrast, treatments of Tarocco oranges and Di Massa lemons with 250 mg/L betaCD-IMZ at 50 degrees C produced significant differences in residue uptake in comparison with 250 mg/L Deccozil treatments at 50 degrees C. The a.i. degradation rate in grapefruit during postquarantine and simulated marketing period (SMP) at 20 degrees C was not affected by the type of formulation used, whether at 20 or 50 degrees C. Conversely, IMZ in oranges and lemons had greater persistence when applied at 50 degrees C. All fungicide treatments showed a comparable efficacy against decay in grapefruit and oranges, whereas treatment in lemons at 250 mg/L a.i. of heated fungicides had higher suppressive effects against decay than unheated chemicals having equal a.i. concentrations and comparable activity at 1200 mg/L IMZ at 20 degrees C.     

Environmental chemistry of copper in torch lake,Michigan

A study of Keweenaw Peninsula and adjacent Lake Superior waters was undertaken to evaluate the significance of Cu tailings deposits as a potential source of Cu and the controlling Cu concentrations in these waters. Metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption techniques. Copper concentrations, especially in areas affected by discharge of large quantities of Cu mine tailings for over 100 yr, were relatively high. Concentrations of apparently dissolved Cu of up to 100 μg 1^?1 were found in Torch Lake in the summer of 1972. These high Cu levels may be partially explained by industrial spills of copper wastes that occurred around that time. However, relatively high concentrations appeared to persist in Torch Lake waters throughout the annual cycle. The vast quantities of crushed Cu-bearing ore that comprise the bottom sediments and line the shores show a Cu content ranging from 1300 to 3800 mg 1^?1. These materials act as a reservoir of Cu providing a continual supply of Cu to these waters. Laboratory leaching studies of these materials demonstrate that they can release potentially significant amounts of Cu when suspended in lake water. Although the Cu levels found in Torch Lake exceed US EPA-recommended maximum allowable levels for these waters, there are reports of substantial fish and algal populations. Equilibrium calculations indicate the predominance of various soluble Cu species in the following order of abundance: Cu(OH)⁺ > Cu⁺⁺ > CuCO₃. However, Cu in these waters may not be controlled by solubility relationships of Cu compounds but rather by sorption onto surfaces of Fe and Mg hydrous oxides resulting in the occurrence of Cu in relatively non-toxic forms. Any additional mining or reclamation operations pose a potential hazard to aquatic ecosystems because of the wide-spread Cu contamination that already exists in the waters of this area.     

Specific flavonoids as interconnecting signals in the tripartite symbiosis formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Kirchner) Jordan and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)

Many legume plants benefit from the tripartite symbiosis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia. Beneficial effects for the plant have been assumed to rely on increased P supply through the mycorrhizas. Recently, we demonstrated that P does not regulate the establishment of the tripartite symbiosis. Flavonoids appear to play a role as early signals for both rhizobia and AMF. Four soybean lines known to express different concentrations of the isoflavones genistein, daidzein and glycitein in the seed were used to test three hypotheses: (i) The establishment of the tripartite symbiosis is not dependent of a nutrient mediated effect; (ii) There is a positive correlation between seed isoflavone concentrations of different soybean lines and the progress of the tripartite symbiosis; (iii) Specific flavonoids control the establishment of the tripartite symbiosis in that a change in flavonoid root accumulation resulting from the development of one microbial partner can stimulate colonization of soybean roots by the other. Disturbed versus undisturbed soil treatments were produced to vary the potential for indigenous AMF colonization of soybean. In contrast, the potential for Bradyrhizobium was kept identical in both soil disturbance treatments. The uptake of P and Zn and the concentration of flavonoids in mycorrhizal soybean roots at 10 d after emergence were analysed either separately of Bradyrhizobium or in context of the tripartite symbiosis. Zinc nutrition did not differ between AMF treatments which supports the first hypothesis. The concentration of daidzein was at least four times greater in the root than in the seed reaching 3958±249 μg g⁻¹ dry across soybean lines. Coumestrol, which was absent in the seed, was synthesized to reach 2154±64 μg g⁻¹ dry. Conversely, the concentration of genistein was approximately three times smaller in the root that in the seed (301±15 μg g⁻¹ dry), while glycitein and formononetin were never detected. The establishment of the tripartite symbiosis was identical across soybean lines which does not support the second hypothesis. Concentrations of flavonoids were significantly greater in roots under disturbed soil, for which both symbioses were not as developed as in plants from undisturbed soil. This clearly supports the third hypothesis. This research provides the first data linking the function of different flavonoids to the establishment of the tripartite symbiosis, and suggests that these compounds are produced and released into the rhizosphere as a function of the colonization process.     

Tracing the origin of Spanish common bean cultivars using biochemical and molecular markers

Fifty-four accessions of Phaseolus vulgaris cultivated in Spain and representing a broad variability for this country, were studied together with 30 samples of wild forms of American origin. Two reference cultivars (from the Andes and Mesoamerica) plus two outgroups (P. coccineus and Vigna unguiculata) were also included. RAPD analysis of DNA leaf extracts were carried out with four selected primers. We also studied morphological characters of the seeds and the phaseolin electrophoretic patterns. Multivariate analysis with the UPGMA method using RAPD data clustered the samples in four groups and, comparing with morphological data and phaseolin types, showed that the Spanish cultivars were mainly of Andean origin. Nevertheless, occurrence of introgression in Spain and the consideration of the country as a second center of variability for beans can also explain the obtained results.     

Thymus zygis subsp. Gracilis: watering level effect on phytomass production and essential oil quality

Thymus zygis subsp. gracilis (chemotype thymol) was evaluated on the basis of its phytomass production and essential oil quality. Three different watering levels were assayed to achieve 63, 44, and 30% of the local potential evapotranspiration (Eto). According to the statistical analysis, a water supplement equivalent to 44% Eto in this cultivation area was optimal for maximum plant dry matter production and essential oil yield. Capillary GC-MS analysis of the essential oil allowed the identification of 86 volatile components. Among them, 30 are described for the first time as volatile constituents of the essential oil in this thyme subspecies and chemotype. The watering level effect on essential oil composition was noticeable, because the application of a water supplement equivalent to the 63% Eto favored the production of an essential oil richer in low molecular weight components. However, the greatest thymol concentrations were obtained under the 30 and 44% Eto watering levels.     

Impact of urban development on streamflow regime of a Portuguese peri-urban Mediterranean catchment

Purpose

Relatively little is known in the Mediterranean environment about changes in streamflow during urban development in partially urbanized peri-urban catchments. This paper explores the modification of streamflow regime as a consequence of the construction of an enterprise park, a major road, and expansion of residential areas, leading to urban areas increase from 32 to 40 % in a small catchment (6.2 km²), located in the periphery of one of the main cities in central mainland Portugal.

Materials and methods

The study was carried out over five hydrological years (October 2008–September 2009 to October 2012–September 2013), including two initial years of pre- and three following years of post-additional urban development. Streamflow was recorded by a V-notch weir at the catchment outlet at 5-min intervals. Rainfall was recorded at a weather station 0.5 km north of the catchment and by five tipping-bucket raingauges installed in January 2011 within the study catchment. Streamflow was converted into runoff and split into baseflow and stormflow components by applying a mathematical low-pass digital filter. Streamflow differences were investigated through changes in (i) annual runoff coefficients, (ii) annual baseflow index, (iii) seasonal baseflow index and stormflow coefficient, and (iv) storm event analysis.

Results and discussion

Annual runoff coefficient ranged from 14 to 21 % and storm runoff coefficient from 9 to 14 %, both between the driest 2011/12 and wettest 2012/13. Although these differences were influenced by inter-annual weather variability, a comparison between years with similar rainfall before and after additional urban development showed a 43 % increase in storm runoff. Impacts on streamflow were also noticed through changes on hydrograph: (i) regression lines of storm runoff against rainstorm parameters exhibited higher vertical positions in 2012/13 than 2008/09, (ii) gradual increase in peak flow but with a clear distance between pre- and post- additional urbanization, (iii) quicker response time from 60–75 min to 40–45 min between both periods, and (iv) decrease in recession time from 21–29 h to 7–9 h for the same periods.

Conclusions

The dispersed urban pattern and permeable soils provide many overland flow sinks, favouring relatively low storm runoff of the catchment. Nevertheless, the enlargement of impervious surfaces (from 12.8 to 17.0 %) and particularly the storm drainage system installed in new urban areas led to great changes on rainfall–runoff event responses. Urban planning should consider the landscape mosaic of peri-urban areas in order to maximize water infiltration and minimize the impacts on streamflow regime.

     

The fertility capability soil classification system: Interpretation,applicability and modification

This paper summarizes the first five years of testing and evaluation of the Fertility Capability Soil Classification System (FCC) and presents an improved version, examples of interpretation and its applicability. FCC is a technical system for grouping soils according to the kinds of problems they present for agronomic management of their chemical and physical properties. It emphasizes quantifiable topsoil parameters as well as subsoil properties directly relevant to plant growth. FCC-classes indicate the main fertility-related soil constraints, which can be interpreted in relation to specific farming systems or land utilization types. Since its publication in 1975, the FCC has been tested, evaluated and put to use in various countries. As a result, the definitions of several modifiers have been changed and additional modifiers have been introduced. Soil maps can be interpreted and redrawn as FCC-units when the necessary data are available. Portions of the FAO/Unesco (1971, 1974, 1977) Soil Maps of the World have been converted to FCC-units with minor difficulties. The system is directly applicable to FAO's (1976) Land Evaluation Guidelines.     

Indicator taxa of spider (Araneae) diversity and their efficiency in conservation

A considerable number of alternative approaches have been suggested during the last years to predict species richness of a given taxon, while retaining information on the identities of the observed individuals. Such information can be extremely useful for choosing conservation priority areas, either by using raw richness values or, preferentially, by considering the complementarity between potential sites. Among the most popular approaches is the use of indicator taxa. Both one single family and a group of several families are here tested in their ability to predict the number of spider (Araneae) species independently of sampling effort, geographical location and type of habitat. We use data from three Portuguese protected areas as a test case. A two-family indicator group – Gnaphosidae and Theridiidae – is found to be a good surrogate of species richness, even if caution is needed regarding the comparison of sites with considerably different sampling effort or vegetation cover. No single family can be seen as a good surrogate of the totality of spiders. In addition, only a group of the two mentioned families is found to be efficient and reliable either when used to rank sites according to taxa richness or for determining near-minimum sets of sites for conservation. We therefore recommend surrogacy with this indicator group as a promising approach for the prediction of spider species richness or evaluation and ranking of areas according to their conservation importance. The reached conclusions should uphold for Portugal and the entire Mediterranean region.     

Phyllostomid bat diversity in a variegated coffee landscape

We examined bat diversity at two different spatial scales: habitat and matrix, in the Quindío coffee region in Colombia. Habitats were: forest, shaded coffee and associated coffee; and matrices were: associated coffee (M1) and shaded coffee (M2). Three sampling sites from each type of habitat were located at each matrix. The forest areas of the Quindío region are severely fragmented and less structurally complex than coffee patches. The shaded coffee habitat had patches that were larger and more complex. In spite of limited patch size and lower complexity, the forest remnants were those with greatest species richness and demonstrated clear similarities even between the two matrices. This was not observed in coffee plantations, neither in associated coffee nor shaded coffee. On the landscape scale, M2 showed lower β diversity and greater edge density (ED) than M1. This fact explains that greater connectivity between different habitats exists in M2 than in M1. Our results suggest that production and conservation are compatible, as maintenance of forest remnants in a mosaic structure by landowners of the vegetation is sufficient to conserve phyllostomid bats at landscape level.