沙棘油脂

果实 沙棘果实由果肉（68%）、种子（23%）和果皮（7.75%）组成（Zadernowski et al.,1997）.Yang和Kallio（2001）最近发现,从中国、芬兰和前苏联（FSU）等地大量选择后采集的沙棘果实中23%～28%是种子,72%～77%是柔软的果肉/果皮.沙棘果实可提取3种油：种子油、果肉油和果皮油.不同于其他植物,沙棘果实的各部分都能合成并积累脂肪.有时果肉油和果皮油没有区别,因此统称为果实油或果肉油.沙棘叶也含油,这部分内容将在稍后部分进一步说明.     

Soil carbon distribution and quality in a montane rangeland-forest mosaic in northern Utah

Relatively little is known about soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in montane ecosystems of the semi-arid western U.S. or the stability of current SOC pools under future climate change scenarios. We measured the distribution and quality of SOC in a mosaic of rangeland-forest vegetation types that occurs under similar climatic conditions on non-calcareous soils at Utah State University's T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest in northern Utah: the forest types were aspen [Populus tremuloides] and conifer (mixture of fir [Abies lasiocarpa] and spruce [Picea engelmannii]); the rangeland types were sagebrush steppe [Artemisia tridentata], grass-forb meadow, and a meadow-conifer ecotone. Total SOC was calculated from OC concentrations, estimates of bulk density by texture and rock-free soil volume in five pedons. The SOC quality was expressed in terms of leaching potential and decomposability. Amount and aromaticity of water-soluble organic carbon (DOC) was determined by water extraction and specific ultra violet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA) of leached DOC. Decomposability of SOC and DOC was derived from laboratory incubation of soil samples and water extracts, respectively.

Although there was little difference in total SOC between soils sampled under different vegetation types, vertical distribution, and quality of SOC appeared to be influenced by vegetation. Forest soils had a distinct O horizon and higher SOC concentration in near-surface mineral horizons that declined sharply with depth. Rangeland soils lacked O horizons and SOC concentration declined more gradually. Quality of SOC under rangelands was more uniform with depth and SOC was less soluble and less decomposable (i.e., more stable) than under forests. However, DOC in grass-forb meadow soils was less aromatic and more bioavailable, likely promoting C retention through cycling. The SOC in forest soils was notably more leachable and decomposable, especially near the soil surface, with stability increasing with soil depth. Across the entire dataset, there was a weak inverse relationship between the decomposability and the aromaticity of DOC. Our data indicate that despite similar SOC pools, vegetation type may affect SOC retention capacity under future climate projections by influencing potential SOC losses via leaching and decomposition.     

Predator control for protecting kaki (Himantopus novaezelandiae)—lessons from 20 years of management

In New Zealand, the endemic kaki or black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) has been the focus of intensive conservation management for the past 20 years. Threatened by predation and habitat loss, the population fell to as low as 23 birds before management was implemented to reverse the decline. Predator trapping has been one form of management intervention in the wild, yet despite 20 years of control, there is only limited evidence to suggest that predator trapping is beneficial for the survival of kaki. Lack of adequate experimental design and understanding of the predator-prey dynamics in the system in which kaki live appear to be the main reasons why the benefits of predator control are not consistently clear. An adaptive management approach would have provided more information on the efficacy of predator trapping and increased understanding of the inter-relationships between kaki survival and predator abundance.     

Combined effect of fertilizer and herbicide applications on the abundance, community structure and performance of the soil methanotrophic community

The use of agrochemicals, such as mineral fertilizers and herbicides in agricultural systems, may affect the potential of soils to act as a sink for methane. Typically, the effect of each agrochemical on soil methane oxidation is investigated separately whereas in the field these agrochemicals are used together to form one comprehensive land management system. Here we report the results of field experiments that assessed the combined effect of multiple fertilizer and herbicide (nicosulfuron, dimethenamide and atrazine) applications on the soil methanotrophic community. Soils treated with organic fertilizer had three times higher methane oxidation rates compared to soils receiving mineral fertilizers. These higher oxidation rates were positively reflected in a significantly enhanced abundance of methanotrophs for the organic fertilized soils. In contrast, herbicide application did not alter significantly the soil methane oxidation rate or the methane-oxidizing population abundance. Subsequently, the methanotrophic community structure was analyzed with group-specific DGGE of 16S rRNA genes. Cluster analysis of the methanotrophic patterns clearly separated the mineral from organically fertilized soils. Less pronounced clustering differentiated between chemical and manual weed control. Furthermore, cluster analysis of the methanotrophic community revealed that soil type was the primary determinant of the community structure. Our results indicate that fertilizer type had the greatest influence on methane oxidizer activity and abundance. Soil type had the most pronounced effect on the microbial community structure.     

Sediment toxicity and heavy metals in eleven lime reference lakes of Sweden

Sediments from an eutrophic reference lake (L. HjÄlmaren) and eleven oligotrophic Swedish lakes were analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and tested for whole sediment toxicity to Daphnia magna. Whole sediment toxicity, expressed as 48-hr EC50 on a wet weight basis in reconstituted dilution water, ranged from 2.8% (most toxic) to >32% (least toxic). Correlations between bulk sediment heavy metal concentrations and toxicity were significant (P≤0.05) for Hg, Pb, and Zn. However, a causal connection between the concentrations of these metals and toxicity was not supported by the results from metal-spiked sediment toxicity tests. In addition sediment toxicity was not affected by the addition of EDTA, which is a strong chelator known to reduce metal toxicity. After storage for several months test sediments either remained nontoxic, toxic, or increased in toxicity. These results illustrate some of the difficulties in the interpretation of bulk sediment chemistry data and the release of toxic chemicals from sediment samples, highlighting the effect of sediment storage on toxicity.     

Bioavailability as a Factor in Risk Assessment of Metal-Contaminated Soil

To accurately assess the risks of metal contaminants in soil, the bioavailability of the metals need to be considered. The bioavailable concentrations determined from homogenized, dried soils are not necessarily representative of in situ conditions of undisturbed field soils. In this study, we investigated the accumulation of metals in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in undisturbed contaminated (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd) soil cores, in relation to total soil, leachate, and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT)-labile metal concentrations. Despite the fact that many of the samples contained metal concentrations above guideline values, no significant effects were observed on wheat growth. The bioavailability of metals in the most contaminated samples was estimated to be medium to low, possibly explaining why few effects were observed in the bioassay. For Cu, Zn, and especially for Pb, leachate and DGT-labile concentrations were better predictors of uptake by wheat than total concentrations based on correlations. It is suggested that DGT and leachate concentrations in combination with bioassays in undisturbed soil cores can be used to account for metal bioavailability in soil. These tests could be used during the ecological risk screening stage, in conjunction with total concentrations and guideline values to better estimate receptor exposure.     

Preferred nesting sites of bumblebee queens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in agroecosystems in the UK

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) have undergone a documented Europe-wide decline in recent years, mostly attributable to destruction of forage and nest sites caused by agricultural intensification. This study was set up to quantify species-specific nest-site preferences of observed UK species for various types of field and forest boundary habitat. In total, 1287 observations were made of seven common bumblebee species; nest-searching behaviour was taken as being indicative of nest site preference. There was interspecific variation in preferred habitat, with some species found to be much more specific in their choice of nest site than others. A strong association was found between those species that are known to prefer subterraneous nesting and those habitats that contained banks (Bombus terrestris, B. lapidarius and B. lucorum); other species were strongly associated with tussock-type vegetation (B. pascuorum, B. hortorum and B. ruderarius). In order to safeguard the continued existence of bumblebee species it is clear that a variety of field and forest boundary types need to be conserved; this has positive implications for the conservation of other species of flora and fauna associated with agroecosystems.     

Sea-level solar radiation in the biologically active spectrum

Calculations show a significant depletion of ultraviolet and visible radiation due to absorption and scattering by particulates and cloud drops for a fixed amount of ozone.