Effects of land ownership and landscape-level factors on rare-species richness in natural areas of southern Ontario,Canada

Surprisingly few studies have considered the extent to which the nature of the ownership of land is associated with differences in biodiversity. We analysed ownership and other landscape-level effects on rare-species richness for both globally- and regionally-rare biota (including birds, herpetofauna, butterflies, mammals, and plants) in 289 designated natural areas (NAs) in southern Ontario, Canada. Information about each NA −including area, number of plant communities, ownership status and details of species diversity were collected from published sources. Length of perimeter of NA, relative isolation, and an estimate of fragmentation were measured using image analysis and GIS techniques. NAs were in general relatively small, with mean area of 158 ha (median 85 ha, range from 0.9 to 1278 ha) for private NAs; public NAs had mean area of 132 ha (median 16 ha, range from 0.1 to 1481 ha). Mean number of plant communities was 4.6 (median 4, range 1- 13) at private NAs and 3.8 (median 3, range 1-16) at public NAs. Our results show that, of several landscape-level factors, area had the greatest effects on rare-species richness and other biotic indices. Effects of area were followed by effects of plant community diversity, however this was itself significantly affected by area and the extent of perimeter of the NA. Both these factors were followed by effects of ownership of the NA and by effects of isolation of the NA (represented by minimum distance to nearest NA and by number of NAs in 10 km radius). Other landscape- level factors did not appear to have overall significant effects. Variation in area accounted for 0.1% to 29% of variation in number of rare species, with lower values for globally-rare, than for regionally-rare taxa. For all biotic groups, public ownership of NAs was associated with significantly greater rare-species richness compared to private ownership, even after other factors such as area were controlled. For all globally-rare biota except butterflies, area of NA had greater effects on rare-species richness than did ownership. Richness of regionally- rare birds was more affected by plant community diversity than by area of NA. Number of recorded plant communities accounted from 2.1% of variation in number of globally-rare plant species to as high as 31% of variation in regionally-rare butterflies. The diversity of plant communities was itself influenced by total site area (accounting for 45% of variation), extent of elongation of the NA, and both external- and interior- edge perimeters. Public NAs had greatest numbers of rare biota and so should be a significant focus for conservation programs. Smaller, privately-owned patches of natural area dominate (by number and area) in this densely populated region and their significance should not be overlooked. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Observations of Phytophthora spp. in Water Recirculation Systems in Commercial Hardy Ornamental Nursery Stock

Samples of water and sediment were taken from drains, reservoirs and wells from four commercial hardy ornamental nurseries with water recirculation systems. The samples were taken on seven different dates throughout a single year from August 1994 to July 1995. The samples were screened for Phytophthora species using five different methods: direct plating, three bait tests (using lupin seedlings, apples and Rhododendron leaves) and a DAS-ELISA (double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent-assay) with two antisera. In the nurseries with old water recirculation systems, Phytophthora species were detected in the drains and in the reservoirs. In the nursery with a new recirculation system, the pathogens were only present in the drains. None of the water samples from wells in any of the nurseries were contaminated. Phytophthora species were present in the water as well as in the sediment samples from drains and reservoirs. They were detected in the water recirculation systems irrespective of the season. The number of isolates increased about sevenfold between late summer and spring. At least 12 different Phytophthora species were identified: some isolates were previously unrecorded species. The epidemiology of the pathogens in outdoor water recirculation systems as well as the importance of the results for commercial nurseries is discussed.     

Genetic variability within Phaeoisariopsis griseola from Central America and its implications for resistance breeding of common bean

The genetic and virulence variability of 112 isolates of Phaeoisariopsis griseola , collected from various locations in Central America, were studied using seven random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers and 12 common-bean differential genotypes. Broad molecular diversity ( H  = 0·92) among isolates was found using RAPD markers. Fifty pathotypes were identified on 12 differential bean genotypes, 29 of which were represented by only one isolate. Only 18 pathotypes were found in two or more countries. Pathotype 63-63 was the most virulent and caused leaf spots on all 12 common-bean differential genotypes. Comparison of virulence phenotypes and RAPD profiles to known Andean P. griseola isolates confirmed that all isolates belonged to the Mesoamerican group. Pairwise comparison between individual RAPD loci showed that the majority were in gametic phase linkage disequilibrium, revealing that P. griseola maintains a genetic structure that is consistent with asexual reproduction. The molecular and virulence diversities of P. griseola isolates from Central America imply that using single resistance genes to manage angular leaf spot is inadequate and stacking resistance genes may be necessary to manage the disease effectively.     

山西菜田捕食性食蚜蝇优势种及其对菜蚜的控制效果

对山西菜田捕食性食蚜蝇优势种及对菜蚜的控制效果进行了研究，菜田常见捕食性食蚜蝇有黑带食蚜蝇，大灰食蚜蝇，斜斑鼓额食蚜蝇，野食蚜蝇，四条小食蚜蝇，短翅细腹食蚜蝇6种，以黑带食蚜蝇种群数量最大，平均占全年发生总量的36.3%，通过对食蚜蝇产卵量，卵化率，幼虫期捕食量和羽化率测试，筛选出的黑带食蚜蝇，大灰食蚜蝇，斜斑鼓额食蚜蝇幼虫对菜蚜均有较强的捕食能力，其中黑带食蚜蝇为山西菜田菜蚜捕食性食蚜蝇优势种，用黑带食蚜蝇三龄幼虫对菜蚜进行防治试验，结果以1：180防效最佳，72h后控制效果达93.5%。     

云南特有野生果树资源及其分布特点

 云南有各类野生果树资源约500 余种, 其中云南特有的164种, 分属35科54属, 多为热带、亚热带果树和浆果类果树, 形成滇南—滇东南、滇西—滇西北和滇中—滇东北3个特有野生果树集中分布中心。这些果树资源用途广泛, 优异性状明显, 有待深入研究和综合开发利用。     

Microscopic detection of reactive oxygen species generation in the compatible and incompatible interactions of Alternaria alternata Japanese pear pathotype and host plants

 Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was examined in the interaction of Alternaria alternata Japanese pear pathotype and host plants using three methods: nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) method for microscopic detection of O₂ ⁻, diaminobenzidine (DAB) methods for microscopic detection of H₂O₂, and cerium chloride methods for ultrastructural detection of H₂O₂. ROS generation was detected by NBT and DAB methods at appressoria on leaves of susceptible cultivars and heat-shocked leaves of resistant cultivars but not in leaves of resistant cultivars. Ultrastructural detection by the cerium chloride method identified ROS generation at cell walls of appressoria and penetration pegs in susceptible, resistant leaves and heat-shocked leaves. These differences in the ultrastructural and microscopic data in resistant areas were due to the restriction of ROS generation in limited areas, the side facing the plant surface, of appressoria and penetration pegs. Therefore, ROS generation was apparently induced regardless of the resistance or susceptibility of the cultivar with the difference being in the volumes generated. After evaluating the pathological role of ROS generation in fungal structures, such generation was found to be associated with early penetration of cell walls in pear plants. Additionally, ROS generation in plants was also found in degrading pectin layers near infected hyphae and in plasma membrane modification sites in susceptible leaves but not in resistant leaves. ROS generation in susceptible leaves might be accompanied with plasma membrane damage, although the role of ROS generation in the pectin layers is not clear. ROS generation in both fungal and plant cells during their interaction was likely associated with the expression of susceptibility. Received: June 3, 2002 / Accepted: July 31, 2002     

外来入侵种的危害与防治对策

外来入侵种对当地的自然生态系统结构和功能以及生物多样性都有着深远的影响,而且可能对地方的生态环境和经济造成严重危害。四川已经成为遭受外来入侵种威胁的省份之一,全省现有20多个外来入侵种。为了防止外来入侵种的泛滥,应当建立外来物种的引入评价机制,慎重进行有意引种;加强口岸管理,防止外来入侵种通过贸易途径无意引入,同时采取措施控制已经产生危害的外来入侵种。     

半自然条件下几种赤眼蜂及品系对亚洲玉米螟卵寄生能力比较

在半自然条件(田间网罩)下,将人工饲养的玉米螟卵按4、8、16块/株3个处理分别固定在网罩内的玉米植株中上部叶片上,然后每网罩分别引入供试赤眼蜂20头,24 h后更换玉米螟卵块,连续3 d。7 d后调查供寄生的玉米螟卵被寄生率及羽化率。结果表明:在半自然条件下广赤眼蜂伊朗1-1品系虽寄生能力高于其他供试品系,但到第2、3天明显降低;玉米螟赤眼蜂北京6-2-2品系每天均维持一个较平稳的寄生能力,产卵量在时间上的分配比较分散,并在第2、3天显示出比其他品系较高的寄生潜能。广赤眼蜂伊朗1-1品系的卵块寄生数量可随卵块密度的增加而增加,而其他品系则在各处理密度下,寄生数量基本没有变化;从卵粒寄生率看,广赤眼蜂伊朗1-1和吉林1-2两个品系的寄生数量随卵块密度的增加而大幅度提高,其他品系增加幅度较小。     

Effects of area and isolation of woodland patches on herbaceous plant species richness across Great Britain

Richness of Ancient Woodland Indicator plant species was analysed in 308 woodland patches that were surveyed during the Countryside Survey of Great Britain carried out in 1998. The Countryside Survey recorded vegetation plots and landscape structure in 569 stratified 1 km sample squares and developed a remotely-sensed land cover map of the UK. Using these datasets, we tested the hypothesis that Ancient Woodland Indicator species richness in woodland fragments was limited by patch area, shape and spatial isolation and that woodland patches located in the lowland region of Great Britain would respond differently than those in the upland region. The variation in Ancient Woodland Indicator species richness in the British lowlands (n = 218) was mainly explained by patch area and two measures of connectivity, the length of hedgerows and lines of trees in the 1 km square and the area of woodland within 500 m of the vegetation plot. By contrast, variation in Ancient Woodland Indicator species richness in the British uplands (n = 90) was related to Ellenberg scores of the vegetation communities sampled – a surrogate for habitat quality – and no significant effect of spatial structure was detected. It therefore appears that the degree of fragmentation of woodland in the British lowlands limits the distribution of Ancient Woodland Indicator species, while in the uplands, failed colonisation is a matter of habitat quality rather than a result of landscape structure.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Role of vascular NAD(P)H oxidase in vascular remodeling

NAD(P)H oxidase was initially found in phagocytes and it participates in the generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS). Recent researches have showed that NAD(P)H oxidase also expresses in other tissues including blood vessels and it plays a critical role in vascular remodeling through ROS which are important signaling molecules in vascular cells.This article reviews the biochemical characterization, activation paradigms, structure, and function of this enzyme.