Species composition and diversity of fish larvae in the Subtropical Convergence Zone of the Sargasso Sea from morphology and DNA barcoding

Specific regions of otherwise oligotrophic oceans seem to attract fish spawning and sustain significant abundances of fish larvae. The Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre is known as the spawning area of the Atlantic eels, but numerous other fish species also spawn in the area. In order to evaluate spatial variability of larval fish in the region, we examined species diversity, composition and abundances at eight stations in the Subtropical Convergence Zone (STCZ) using morphological identification and DNA barcoding. From a total of approximately 3500 specimens collected, at least 154 species from 50 families could be identified. The family Myctophidae had the highest species richness, with at least 32 species represented. The myctophids Lepidophanes gaussi, Bolinichthys indicus, Notolychnus valdiviae and Ceratoscopelus warmingii were the four most abundant species. Other common species included the three eels: Nemichthys scolopaceus, Ariosoma balearicum and Anguilla anguilla. Larval fish species composition differed substantially between the relatively closely spaced stations on either side of prominent hydrographic fronts in the study area, presumably because of the strong environmental gradients. Common eel species were concentrated between the fronts whereas common myctophids were of highest abundance at the outer edges of the fronts. The abundances of most species were generally enhanced in the vicinity of the fronts. The use of combined morphological and DNA‐barcoding identification methods facilitated species identification, and we could document substantially higher levels and a larger degree of spatial variability in species diversity of fish larvae than previously shown for oligotrophic ocean areas.     

Ocean scale hypoxia‐based habitat compression of Atlantic istiophorid billfishes

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) below near‐surface optimums in the eastern tropical seas are among the largest contiguous areas of naturally occurring hypoxia in the world oceans, and are predicted to expand and shoal with global warming. In the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP), the surface mixed layer is defined by a shallow thermocline above a barrier of cold hypoxic water, where dissolved oxygen levels are ≤3.5 mL L^?1. This thermocline (～25–50 m) constitutes a lower hypoxic habitat boundary for high oxygen demand tropical pelagic billfish and tunas (i.e., habitat compression). To evaluate similar oceanographic conditions found in the eastern tropical Atlantic (ETA), we compared vertical habitat use of 32 sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) and 47 blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) monitored with pop‐up satellite archival tags in the ETA and western North Atlantic (WNA). Both species spent significantly greater proportions of their time in near‐surface waters when inside the ETA than when in the WNA. We contend that the near‐surface density of billfish and tunas increases as a consequence of the ETA OMZ, therefore increasing their vulnerability to overexploitation by surface gears. Because the ETA OMZ encompasses nearly all Atlantic equatorial waters, the potential impacts of overexploitation are a concern. Considering the obvious differences in catchability inside and outside the compression zones, it seems essential to standardize these catch rates separately to minimize inaccuracies in stock assessments for these species. This is especially true in light of global warming, which will likely exacerbate future compression impacts.     

滨海盐土区4种典型耐盐植物盐分离子的积累特征

为了筛选降盐效果优良的适宜植物材料以合理利用耐盐植物改良滨海盐碱地,本研究通过田间试验系统探究了盐地碱蓬、田菁、红麻和高丹草的盐分离子积累特征。结果表明:4种植物地上生物量在成苗期和成熟期均为总生物量的80%以上,且大小为田菁红麻盐地碱蓬高丹草。高丹草和红麻对K+、Ca2+的吸收运输能力最强,盐地碱蓬和田菁对Na~+的吸收运输能力最强。根据各盐分离子占植物积累总盐分的比例,高丹草对K+积累量高于其他离子;田菁在成苗期主要积累K+,在成熟期主要积累Cl~–和Na~+;红麻主要积累Cl~–和K+;盐地碱蓬主要积累Na~+和Cl~–,其体内的Na~+和Cl~–分别占积累盐分总量的比例明显高于其余植物。从成苗期到成熟期的生长过程中,盐地碱蓬表现出Na~+积累比例持续下降,Cl~–积累比例逐渐升高的趋势;田菁和高丹草表现为Na~+和Cl~–积累比例均升高;红麻的Na~+和Cl~–积累比例则表现为逐渐下降趋势。盐地碱蓬、田菁和红麻是滨海盐土改良的优良植物材料。     

Site-specific production functions for variable rate corn nitrogen fertilization

Specific recommendations for variable rate nitrogen (VRN) fertilization in corn (Zea mays L.) are required to realize the potential environmental and economic benefits of this technology. However, recommendations based on algorithms that consider the processes controlling crop response to nitrogen fertilizer (NF) within fields have not yet been developed. The objectives of this study were to develop site-specific corn yield production functions for VRN fertilization and to determine the site-specific variables controlling corn response to NF. The experiments were conducted on eight commercial production fields. Fields were divided into 13–20 sections composed of five plots. Each plot received one NF rate. Site-specific variables included primary and secondary terrain attributes, and the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT). Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased corn yield and it interacted with at least one site-specific variable. The ISNT was the site-specific variable that interacted with NF in most fields where the CV of ISNT was larger than 10%. The parameter estimates indicate that ISNT had a positive effect on corn yield and that it reduced the response to NF. Terrain attributes also affected corn yield and its response to NF. In general, parameter estimates indicated that well drained areas (i.e. small specific catchment area, moderate slopes) had higher yields and responded less to NF than areas where water is expected to accumulate. These results indicate that terrain attributes as surrogates for soil water content and the ISNT as a measure of soil mineralizable nitrogen are site-specific characteristics that affect corn yield and its response to NF.     

Assessment of the quality of pond sediment in aquaculture using simple,rapid techniques

Aquaculture ponds receive inputs of organic matter such as uneaten feed, fertilizer and faeces. Analytical methods for four parameters are described to assess the sediment quality. These parameters are redox potential, pH, the hydrogen sulphide activity potential (pH₂S) and soluble ammonium nitrogen. The techniques are simple, rapid, and are practical on site. Ranges encountered are given and safe ranges suggested.     

农机化发展方向及策略

加快推进农业机械化对增强农业综合生产能力、发展现代新农村、拉动农民增收具有重要现实意义。尽管我国农业机械化发展较快,但从总体上看,农业机械化水平还较低,需要加大农机化投入,健全相关配套措施,切实做好农机化创新示范基地和示范区建设,以推动农机化的健康迅速发展。     

江苏滨海盐土脱盐技术及应用前景

沿海滩涂是江苏省主要的土地后备资源,滨海盐土的开发、利用和保护已得到各级政府的高度重视.基于盐平衡指数的概念,归纳出滨海盐土的三大脱盐技术,即雨水/微咸水淋洗脱盐技术、阻止毛管水上升减少根区聚盐技术和生物脱盐技术.在具体的滩涂脱盐改土实践中江苏省通过这3种技术的集成,已形成各具特色的滨海滩涂脱盐改土技术体系,包括养鱼改...     

吉林省旱地土壤有效硫含量及其与土壤有机质和全氮的关系

【目的】 明确吉林省旱地土壤有效硫含量状况及其分布差异,为区域作物合理施硫提供依据。【方法】 采集吉林省不同生态区8种主要土壤类型的232个表层（0—20 cm）土壤样品,利用地统计学方法分析有效硫含量的空间分布特征,比较不同类型土壤有效硫含量差异,并建立土壤有效硫和有机质、全氮的相关关系。【结果】 吉林省旱地土壤有效硫含量为5.8—40.7 mg·kg^-1,均值为18.1 mg·kg^-1,所有样本中缺硫和潜在缺硫的比例分别为27.2%和20.7%。空间分布上,土壤有效硫含量总体呈自东向西逐渐下降趋势,相应的缺硫发生率自东向西逐渐上升。东、中、西三大生态区的土壤有效硫含量均值（缺硫或潜在缺硫发生率）分别为22.3 mg·kg^-1（24.2%）、18.1 mg·kg^-1（40.0%）和14.3 mg·kg^-1（75.6%）。主要分布于东部湿润山区的白浆土、暗棕壤有效硫含量均值分别为22.1和22.0 mg·kg^-1,缺硫或潜在缺硫样本分别占15.2%和28.3%;中部半湿润平原区的黑土、冲积土和草甸土有效硫含量均值分别为18.8、17.1和16.2 mg·kg^-1,缺硫或潜在缺硫样本占比分别为37.9%、63.5%和55.5%;西部半干旱平原区的黑钙土、风沙土和盐碱土有效硫含量均值分别为11.9、14.0和13.9 mg·kg^-1,缺硫或潜在缺硫风险较高,分别占比73.6%、73.3%和75.5%。回归分析结果显示,吉林省旱地土壤有效硫和土壤有机质、土壤全氮均呈显著的对数相关关系,随着土壤有机质和土壤全氮含量增加,土壤有效硫含量也随之提升。【结论】 吉林省旱地土壤有效硫含量在不同区域和土壤类型之间存在显著差异,硫素缺乏现象也较为普遍,47.9%的土壤样本存在缺硫或潜在缺硫问题,特别是中西部地区的风沙土、盐碱土和黑钙土缺硫风险较高,在土壤培肥和作物管理中应注重硫素的补充。     

Poplar plantations in coastal China: towards the identification of the best rotation age for optimal soil carbon sequestration

Poplar plantations are an important resource in China, which possess significant potential to offset carbon (C) emissions through the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) within biomass and soil. The traditional rotation age of poplar plantations is determined by maximizing the economic return from timber production. However, the optimal rotation age that results in the highest level of carbon sequestration within the soil remains unclear. In this study, we examined the total C, nitrogen (N) and microbial biomass (SMB) content of soils, as well as other properties in 0–10, 10–25 and 25–40 cm soil profiles along a 0‐ to 20‐yr chronosequence in a coastal region of Eastern China. Soil C stocks were determined for 1 m soil profiles, and the stand biomass in poplar plantations of different ages was investigated. We found that C concentrations within soils increased with plantation age, primarily in the topsoil layers. The periodic annual increment of C in soils peaked between stand ages of from 6 to 10 yr (0.71 t/ha/yr) and then decreased considerably at 17.5 yr, while the mean annual increment of C in soils was the highest at 15 yr (0.573 t/ha/yr). Soil C accumulation (i.e. soil C sequestration) was positively correlated with poplar biomass, soil N and SMB, and negatively correlated with soil potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na), but not with sulphur (S) or phosphorus (P). Our results suggest that a rotation age of 15 yr is optimal for the sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ in poplar plantations in the coastal region of Eastern China. The C sequestration capacity of soil was primarily controlled by poplar biomass, soil N and SMB.     

舟山沿岸渔业资源修复

主要分析了舟山沿岸渔场渔业资源衰退的现状,通过分析得出导致其资源衰退的主要影响因素,为合理利用舟山沿岸渔场资源、真正实现渔业资源的可持续发展以及舟山市的海洋战略提供参考.