Multi-scale predictive habitat suitability modeling based on hierarchically delineated patches: an example for yellow-billed cuckoos nesting in riparian forests,California, USA

The discipline of landscape ecology recognizes the importance of measuring habitat suitability variables at spatial scales relevant to specific organisms. This paper uses a novel multi-scale hierarchical patch delineation method, PatchMorph, to measure landscape patch characteristics at two distinct spatial scales and statistically relate them to the presence of state-listed endangered yellow-billed cuckoos (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis) nesting in forest patches along the Sacramento River, California, USA. The landscape patch characteristics calculated were: patch thickness, area of cottonwood forest, area of riparian scrub, area of other mixed riparian forest, and total patch area. A third, regional spatial variable, delineating the north and south portions of study area was also analyzed for the effect of regional processes. Using field surveys, the landscape characteristics were related to patch occupancy by yellow-billed cuckoos. The area of cottonwood forest measured at the finest spatial scale of patches was found to be the most important factor determining yellow-billed cuckoo presence in the forest patches, while no patch characteristics at the larger scale of habitat patches were important. The regional spatial variable was important in two of the three analysis techniques. Model validation using an independent data set of surveys (conducted 1987–1990) found 76–82% model accuracy for all the statistical techniques used. Our results show that the spatial scale at which habitat characteristics are measured influences the suitability of forest patches. This multi-scale patch and model selection approach to habitat suitability analysis can readily be generalized for use with other organisms and systems.     

Combining top-down and bottom-up dynamics in land use modeling: exploring the future of abandoned farmlands in Europe with the Dyna-CLUE model

Land use change is the result of interactions between processes operating at different scales. Simulation models at regional to global scales are often incapable of including locally determined processes of land use change. This paper introduces a modeling approach that integrates demand-driven changes in land area with locally determined conversion processes. The model is illustrated with an application for European land use. Interactions between changing demands for agricultural land and vegetation processes leading to the re-growth of (semi-) natural vegetation on abandoned farmland are explicitly addressed. Succession of natural vegetation is simulated based on the spatial variation in biophysical and management related conditions, while the dynamics of the agricultural area are determined by a global multi-sector model. The results allow an exploration of the future dynamics of European land use and landscapes. The model approach is similarly suitable for other regions and processes where large scale processes interact with local dynamics.     

Effects of apolipoprotein (a) on vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and cell signal transduction pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect and the mechanism of apolipoprotein (a) ［apo (a)］ on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: All VSMCs used in experiments were serial subcultured from primary cells and were identified by immunohistochemistry staining of α-actin. Cell growth assay was observed as cell counting and MTT assay. Western blotting was also employed to detect the related mechanism. RESULTS: All cells used in experiments were confirmed as VSMCs. Although apo (a) enhanced VSMCs proliferation, this effect was attenuated by anti-integrin αⅤβ3, LM609. Use these reagents alone had no effect on VSMCs growth. The results of Western blotting demonstrated that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was activated by apo (a) and the expression of total or phosphorylated transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was also decreased. However, these effects described above were all blocked by LM609. CONCLUSION: Apolipoprotein (a) enhances VSMCs proliferation and this effect is mediated by integrin αⅤβ3, which activates FAK and attenuates TGF-β1 and phospho-TGF-β1 expression.     

Confronting collinearity: comparing methods for disentangling the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation

Estimating the relative importance of habitat loss and fragmentation is necessary to estimate the potential benefits of specific management actions and to ensure that limited conservation resources are used efficiently. However, estimating relative effects is complicated because the two processes are highly correlated. Previous studies have used a wide variety of statistical methods to separate their effects and we speculated that the published results may have been influenced by the methods used. We used simulations to determine whether, under identical conditions, the following 7 methods generate different estimates of relative importance for realistically correlated landscape predictors: residual regression, model or variable selection, averaged coefficients from all supported models, summed Akaike weights, classical variance partitioning, hierarchical variance partitioning, and a multiple regression model with no adjustments for collinearity. We found that different methods generated different rankings of the predictors and that some metrics were strongly biased. Residual regression and variance partitioning were highly biased by correlations among predictors and the bias depended on the direction of a predictor’s effect (positive vs. negative). Our results suggest that many efforts to deal with the correlation between amount and fragmentation may have done more harm than good. If confounding effects are controlled and adequate thought is given to the ecological mechanisms behind modeled predictors, then standardized partial regression coefficients are unbiased estimates of the relative importance of amount and fragmentation, even when predictors are highly correlated.     

Changes in fox squirrel anti-predator behaviors across the urban–rural gradient

Predator stimuli created by humans in the urban environment may alter animals’ anti-predator behaviors. I hypothesized that habituation would cause anti-predator behaviors to decrease in urban settings in response to humans. Additionally, I hypothesized that populations habituated to humans would show reduced responses to other predator stimuli. I observed three populations of squirrels (urban, suburban and rural) responses to human approaches, red-tailed hawk vocalizations (Buteo jamaicensis) and coyote (Canis latrans) vocalizations. Mahalanobis distances of anti-predator behaviors in response to human approaches were consistent with the urban–rural gradient. Flight initiation distances (X ² = 26.33, df = 2, P < 0.001) and amount of time dedicated to anti-predator behavior (X ² = 10.94, df = 2, P = 0.004) in response to human approaches were also consistent with the urban–rural gradient. Supporting the habituation hypothesis, naive juvenile squirrels increased flight initiation distances (X ² = 35.89, df = 1, P < 0.001) and time dedicated to anti-predator behaviors (X ² = 9.46, df = 1, P = 0.002) relative to adult squirrels in the same urban environment. Time dedicated to anti-predator behaviors differed among all three sites in response to both coyote (X ² = 9.83, df = 2, P = 0.007) and hawk (X ² = 6.50, df = 2, P = 0.035) vocalizations. Responses to both vocalizations on rural sites (coyote = 45%, hawk = 55%) greater than twice that found on the urban sites (coyote = 11%, hawk = 20%). This is possibly the first case of a transfer of habituation demonstrated under field conditions.     

Effects of multiple fires on tree invasion in montane grasslands

There is circumstantial evidence that grasslands on the Bunya Mountains were once maintained by Aboriginal burning, and with lack of fire under European management are being colonised by trees. To assess the efficacy of burning for maintaining grasslands, 119 fires were lit between 1996 and 2006. The total area of unburnt grasslands decreased by 27%, while grasslands burnt at least once decreased by 1%. The density of invading trees was recorded from fixed plots on 23 grasslands burnt between one and six times. Cassinia was virtually eliminated and the density of the Rainforest species guild slowly but continually declined. Acacia irrorata exhibited a humped response, with initial increases resulting from vegetative resprouting and gradual decline with persistent burning. Phyllodinous Acacia and Woodland trees were the least fire sensitive guilds, having stable or increased density with repeated burning. Multi-factor regression modelling detected no significant relationships between changes in woody plant density and the interval between fires, fire intensity, the initial density of large trees, an index of soil moisture, or the cumulative number of fires for any species guild. The survivorship of both Cassinia and Rainforest guilds was significantly lower with summer burning than winter burning, but a seasonal effect of burning was not evident for other guilds. The findings suggest that regardless of fire conditions, frequent burning will reduce the number of adult trees, maintain resprouts in an immature state, facilitate further fire and reduce the rate of grassland loss. Woodland species are especially resilient to fire, and burning to maintain grassy ecosystems will be most successful where the main colonisers are rainforest species and burning is conducted in summer. The findings suggest that the montane grasslands of the Bunya Mountains were maintained by anthropogenic burning and active fire management will prolong their existence.     

新疆龙蒿开花习性及花芽分化研究

通过对新疆龙蒿整个生长周期的动态观测,发现新疆龙蒿在5月下旬～7月初进行花芽分化,其过程可分为花轴分化期、花序分化期和花器官分化期;顶生花芽和侧生花芽均由营养锥分化而成;舌状花为雌花,管状花为两性花.     

外源铬对两个豇豆品种苗期生长的影响

采用土培法,研究了不同浓度的外源铬(0、2、8、15、25 mg/kg)对2个豇豆品种幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:低浓度的外源铬(2 mg/kg)对2个豇豆品种幼苗的株高、地上部鲜重有显著促进作用;高浓度的外源铬(15 mg/kg)对2个品种幼苗的株高、主根长起显著或极显著的抑制作用,对特抗病高产四号的地上部鲜重、叶面积有极显著抑制作用.综合各项指标,特抗病高产四号比丰产一号对铬敏感.     

珍惜植物桃儿七濒危原因及保护措施研究

阐述了桃儿七的生存现状,针对其濒危原因,提出了具体的保护途径,为合理开发利用桃儿七资源提供依据.