Distribution patterns, range size and niche breadth of Austrian endemic plants

Endemic species are not a uniform group in terms of range size, habitat preferences, and ecological plasticity. Based on a recent inventory of endemic vascular plant species in Austria, we analysed distribution patterns, altitudinal distribution and habitat preferences of endemic species and analysed the correlation of range size and niche breadth. The inventory includes 103 vascular plant taxa (species and subspecies) endemic to Austria.Grid cells (cell size ca. 35 km²) with highest taxon numbers (max. 25 taxa) are limited to the Northeastern Calcareous Alps, whereas highest numbers of acidophilous endemics occur in the easternmost high-mountain chains of the Central Alps. The majority of endemics (61 taxa; 59.2%) are found on calcareous bedrock, 6 taxa (5.8%) on intermediate substrates, and 29 (28.2%) on siliceous bedrock. The range size of endemic vascular plant taxa is strongly skewed towards very narrow distributions – 45 taxa are restricted to <20 grid cells. Average range sizes differ markedly between endemics of different broad habitat types, endemics of habitats with limited and patchy distribution (serpentine vegetation, dry grassland) having the smallest ranges.The altitudinal distribution of endemic plant taxa peaks at high altitudes, in the subalpine and lower alpine altitude belt. Below the tree line, endemics predominantly colonize extra- and azonal dry or wet habitats, whereas above the tree line, zonal alpine grassland and azonal vegetation types (scree, rocks, snowbeds) are equally essential to the endemic flora. Niche breadth of endemics is positively, however moderately, correlated with range size. This correlation is stronger for the altitudinal distribution than for the number of habitats colonized.The distribution patterns and ecology of endemics differ considerably from overall biodiversity patterns and must be addressed appropriately in conservation strategies. Small niche-breadths and the specific habitat requirements of endemics of very localized distribution render these taxa highly vulnerable to climate change.     

Comments on the paper by Kemmitt et al. (2008) ‘Mineralization of native soil organic matter is not regulated by the size, activity or composition of the soil microbial biomass - A new perspective’ [Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40, 61-73]: The biology of the Regulatory Gate

Kemmitt et al. (Kemmitt, S.J., Lanyon, C.V., Waite, I.S., Wen, Q., Addiscott, T.M., Bird, N.R.A., O'Donnell, A.G., Brookes, P.C., 2008. Mineralization of native soil organic matter is not regulated by the size, activity or composition of the soil microbial biomass - a new perspective. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40, 61-73) recently proposed the “Regulatory Gate” hypothesis, which states that decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) is regulated solely by abiotic factors. Without studying the mechanisms of such regulation, Kemmitt with coauthors challenged the classical Winogradsky theory of soil microbiology and questioned the concept of autochtonous and zymogenous microbial populations. In this letter, we revive the significance of microbial activity for SOM decomposition especially for the short-term (hours to weeks) processes and show that the “Regulatory Gate” is (micro)biologically driven.We explain the results of the three experiments in Kemmitt et al. (2008) from a microbiological point of view and suggest that SOM decomposition is mainly regulated by exoenzymes. We criticize the abiotic Regulatory Gate hypothesis based on bottleneck processes and pools limiting the SOM decomposition rate, comparison of constant and changing environmental conditions, as well as the connection between community structure and functions. We explain the results of Kemmitt et al. (2008) according to the properties of soil microbial community: functional redundancy and inconsistency between the excessive (but largely inactive) pool of total microbial biomass and the real mineralization activity. Finally, we suggest that to gain new perspectives on SOM decomposition and many other biochemical processes, future studies should focus on hot spots of (micro)biological activity (i.e., the rhizosphere, drillosphere, detritosphere, biopores, etc.) rather than on the bulk soil.     

观赏绿肥在观光农业中的研究与应用

在观光果茶园建设过程中,种植具有观赏效果的绿肥作物可美化田园环境、保持水土和改良土壤状态,并可营造良好的生态农业环境。本文提出“观赏绿肥”的概念并对其进行了初步定义,对观赏绿肥在观光农业中的主要作用、配置模式进行了初步探讨,以促进观赏绿肥在观光果茶园、生态农庄建设过程中应用和发展。     

园林绿地固碳能力分析与研究进展

阐述了园林绿地植物的固碳能力,包括固碳能力测定方法,不同植物及不同形式植物配置的固碳能力,以及园林绿地植物固碳能力的影响因素,包括季节、大气污染物、绿地面积。探讨了园林绿地土壤碳汇,包括土壤碳储量测定方法、土壤碳含量分布特征及其影响因素,其中影响因素包括气候、植被类型、绿地类型、人为干扰、绿地建造时间。针对园林绿地碳循环研究的薄弱环节,从园林绿地系统碳循环机制,构建园林绿地碳循环模型,园林绿地碳库的稳定性维持机制,土壤碳循环过程与土壤水环境的耦合关系等方面,展望了今后的研究方向。     

包头市昆都仑区园林绿地防灾避险研究

包头市昆都仑区紧急避灾绿地的人均紧急避难面积为0.41m2/人,中心和固定防灾绿地的人均固定避难面积为1.19m2/人,均不满足避难要求;中心和固定防灾绿地数量较少,只有植物园、八一公园、包头乐园和啤酒生态园;各类防灾避险的配套设施不足;对群众的宣传力度不够。     

农村生活污染控制的关键环节与对策——以沂河源风景名胜区为例

针对沂河源风景名胜区农村生活污染现状,按照循环经济的"3R"原则,提出了农村生活污染控制的源头削减、过程利用和末端循环的3个关键环节。对农村生活污水、生活垃圾、人(畜)粪便和部分与人们生活相关产生的农田固体废物等不同类型的农村生活污染分别提出了不同环节的控制措施,形成了农村生活污染综合治理的模式。     

四明山国家森林公园景观质量评价

应用层次分析法对四明山国家森林公园的6处主要景区进行了森林景观价值评价.结果显示,商量岗、鹁鸪岩和仰天湖景区的综合评价相对较高,黄海田和灵溪等少数景区综合评价相对较低;抽样结果统计分析得出,游客对四明山的森林景观感受最深,其次是气候环境,同时,游客也认为植物和地形的景观最为重要;应通过景观林改造,提升森林公园的植物景观.     

由谢赫“六法”探究拙政园的造园艺术

拙政园是苏州古典园林的典型代表。谢赫"六法"是中国美术史上影响最深远的绘画理论。绘画乃园林之母,论文尝试从谢赫"六法"角度,由气韵生动、骨法用笔、应物象形、随类赋彩、经营位置及传移模写这六大理论分析并总结拙政园的造园艺术。     

从诗词楹联看澳门卢园

澳门卢廉若花园既沿袭了岭南造园的特色,又融合了葡式建筑装饰风格,是一座不可多得的精品园林。文章从卢园的诗词楹联入手,阐述卢园的造园特色,探讨中国园林追求自然的精神以及诗词楹联在拓展园林意蕴中所发挥的作用。     

现代城市观光植物园规划的研究——以池州市植物园规划为例

随着城市化建设的不断深入,人们对回归自然的要求越来越迫切。现代城市观光植物园已经成为一个城市精神文明建设的象征。笔者对国内外植物园的分类依据、功能定位做简单介绍,以池州市植物园为例,将其划分为植物专类园区、特色植物区、温室展览区、休闲区等4个部分,按照科学性与艺术性相统一的原则,构建了景色优美、物种丰富的人工森林植被群落。通过对池州市植物园规划的分析,可对新建的城市观光植物园建设起到一定的借鉴作用。