Towards an acoustic‐based coupled observation and modelling system for monitoring and predicting ecosystem dynamics of the open ocean

Assessment of open‐ocean ecosystems relies on understanding ecosystem dynamics, and development of end‐to‐end ecosystem models represents an approach that addresses these challenges. These models incorporate the population structure and dynamics of marine organisms at all trophic levels. Satellite remote sensing of ocean colour and direct at‐sea measurements provide information on the lower trophic levels of the models, and fisheries studies provide information on top predator species. However, these models suffer from a lack of observations for the so‐called mid‐trophic levels, which are poorly sampled by conventional methods. This restricts further development, and we argue that acoustic observations from a range of platforms (e.g. buoys, moorings) can be linked to the ecosystem models to provide much‐needed information on these trophic levels. To achieve this, the models need to be tailored to incorporate the available acoustic data, and the link from acoustic backscatter to biologically relevant variables (biomass, carbon, etc.) needs attention. Methods to progress this issue are proposed, including the development of observation models and focal areas for ground truthing. To ensure full use of the potential of acoustic techniques, we argue that a systematic and long‐term strategy incorporating the following elements is required: development of metadata standards and automated data analysis, inclusion of acoustic sensors in large‐scale observatory programmes, improvement of observation‐model links, and efficient sampling strategies. Finally, these elements should be tied together in an observation‐modelling framework, coordinated by international organizations, to improve our understanding and quantification of open‐ocean ecosystem dynamics.     

韩国新村运动中的文化建设经验及启示

韩国在20世纪60年代组织实施的“新村运动”中,农村文化建设取得了巨大成功。文章总结了韩国新村运动中的文化建设经验：充分发挥政府的职能;重视农民的“精神启蒙”;注重农民的教育培训;注重村容环境的改观;政府给予财政支持等。指出中国当前在新农村文化建设中应该落实政府责任,发挥政府主导作用;重视农民教育,培养新型农民;创新农村人文生态环境,打造新村镇。     

Intensive,site-specific silviculture: Manipulating resource availability at establishment for improved stand productivity. A review of South African research

An important window of opportunity to increase and sustain productivity in short-rotation plantations is the period from felling through re-establishment to canopy closure. This paper explores the effects, interactions and response mechanisms of intensive silvicultural practices on plantation productivity and sustainability, using five South African case studies (a–e). (a) Land preparation trials showed that complete surface cultivation by ploughing had a significant beneficial effect when afforestation is done for the first time in grasslands, improving basal area growth by 11–52% over pitting only. However, similar treatments have not resulted in significant growth responses under re-establishment conditions. (b) Stand growth suppression resulting chiefly from soil compaction during mechanised harvesting operations is strongly related to soil type, soil textural class and residue management options. Volume growth reduction in short-rotation eucalypt crops ranged from 25% on compaction sensitive loamy soils to less than 2% in resistant sandy soils. (c) The response mechanism whereby vegetation management improves stand productivity is a reduction in both inter-specific and intra-genotypic competition for resources, as well as a decrease in stand variability. Operationally, the most important criteria in a vegetation management programme relate to the timing of control operations across diverse site conditions. In local trials, the primary factors controlling the time taken for competition-induced tree growth suppression to occur were related to altitude, slash burning and the interaction between these factors, which facilitated the development of regional vegetation management strategies. (d) Empirical fertilizer trials in short-rotation hardwood stands have shown significant improvements in final productivity (commonly 20–90 m³ ha⁻¹ in eucalypts and 30–50 m³ ha⁻¹ in Acacia), as well as wood density (15–30 kg m⁻³ for eucalypts) following improvements in early nutrition. Improved nutrition was achieved through fertilization at planting or indirectly through residue management. The response mechanism is primarily due to early canopy development and associated increases in light capture, coupled with a more modest increase in canopy quantum efficiency and above-ground carbon allocation on a dry site. On sites with abundant water supply, increased quantum efficiency is likely to be the dominant response mechanism. (e) A series of operational gains trials tested the interactive effect of genetic tree improvement, site–genotype interaction, stand density and vegetation management + fertilization on eucalypt stand growth across five sites. There were no significant interactions between factors, but importantly, the results were additive, emphasizing the need to optimise each practice in the value chain to achieve maximum productivity.     

Determination of the cellulose and lignin content on wood fibre surfaces of eucalypts as a function of genotype and site

We compared the chemical composition of wood fibres and fibre surfaces of several eucalypt species and hybrids originating from various growth sites in South Africa. The objective was to test for differences in chemical surface composition due to genetics or site with the ultimate aim to facilitate a tailor-made supply of wood for pulping that results in an optimal blend of fibres that can be pulped together with similar yields. This, however, requires a sound knowledge of the fibre properties. The surface functionality on the single fibre level is a key property, because it determines how good inter-fibre bonding will be when paper is formed, which depends amongst other fibre properties on the amount of free hydroxyl groups that are available and therefore on the cellulose content on the fibre surface. The cellulose and lignin content on the fibre surface were determined with chemical force microscopy, a variation of atomic force microscopy. Since the general bulk composition of the fibre and the surface composition might differ, both parameters were determined. We found significant differences in the cellulose and lignin content on fibre surfaces, with regard to genotype and site, respectively. In some, but not all, cases, the surface composition of wood fibres followed the bulk composition, and differences were generally more pronounced. Differences due to genotype were significant, especially with regard to the surface lignin content—but variation due to site was also distinctly recognisable. This variation in surface functionality could be the reason why some pulpwood blends result in a lower pulp yield and different quality.     

速生杉木的改性研究——UF树脂浸渍后热压法改性

采用脲醛树脂（UF）浸渍后热压的方法，对速生杉木气干材进行改性。试验结果表明：1.改性后杉木的静曲强度平均提高42%，弹性模量平均提高17%，吸水率平均降低45%，吸水厚度膨胀率基本无变化；2.热压工艺中的压力对改性杉木的MOR，MOE影响最大，树脂浸渍时间是影响其吸水率和吸水厚度膨胀率的主要因素。     

中国棉花生态区划

由于曾统称长江流域、黄河流域及南疆为“中熟”棉区 ,导致东部地区品种引种到南疆出现晚熟等不适应的问题。根据各地的≥ 1 0℃积温与无霜期 ,以适于长江流域种植的棉花品种定位为中熟类型作基础 ,将我国植棉区域划分为 :特早熟(辽河流域 )、早熟 (北疆 )、次早熟 (南疆 )、中早熟(黄河流域 )、中熟 (长江流域 )和晚熟 (华南 ) 6个生态区 ;其中的 4个生态区由于地域与无霜期的不同 ,又各划分为 2个生态地区 (亚区 )     

Biostimulant effects of Bacillus strains on wheat from in vitro towards field conditions are modulated by nitrogen supply

Bacillus velezensis strains, belonging to plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), are increasingly used as microbial biostimulant. However, their field application to winter wheat under temperate climate remains poorly documented. Therefore, three B. velezensis strains IT45, FZB24 and FZB42 were tested for their efficacy under these conditions. Two biological interaction systems were firstly developed under gnotobiotic and greenhouse conditions combined with sterile or non‐sterile soil, respectively, and finally assayed in the field during two years coupled with different N fertilization rates. Under gnotobiotic conditions, all three strains significantly increased root growth of 14 d‐old spring and winter wheat seedlings. In the greenhouse using non‐sterile soil, only FZB24 significantly increased root biomass of spring wheat (+31%). The three strains were able to improve nutrient uptake of the spring wheat grown in the greenhouse, particularly for the micronutrients Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, but the observed increases in nutrient uptake were dependent on the organs and the elements. The root biomass increases in inoculated plants coincided with lowered nutrient concentrations of P and K. In 2014, under field conditions and absence of any N fertilizer supply, FZB24 significantly increased grain yields by 983 kg ha^?1, or 14.9%, in relation to non‐inoculated controls. The three strains in the 2015 field trial failed to confirm the previous positive results, likely due to the low temperatures occurring during and after inoculations. The Zeleny sedimentation value, indicative of flour quality, was unaffected by the inoculants. The results are discussed in the perspective of bacterial application to wheat under temperate agricultural practices.