Turloughs - Ireland’s unique wetland habitat

Turloughs are karst wetland ecosystems that are virtually unique to Ireland. Flooding annually in autumn through springs and fissures in the underlying limestone and draining in the springtime, often through the same fissures or swallow-holes, they have been described as ‘temporal ecotones’. Over 300 have been documented. They are priority habitats in the EU Habitats Directive and support a variety of wet grassland and fen type vegetation. Though the vegetation has been recorded and mapped for over 80 turloughs, records for invertebrates are more sporadic. Characteristic species include some aquatic species-often benefiting from the absence of fish-, and many wetland terrestrial species, including carabid beetles that are rare on a European scale. Due to their shallow nature and the full vegetation cover of the basin, turloughs can host internationally significant numbers of visiting winter wildfowl, particularly whooper swans. The variety of plant and invertebrate communities between turloughs is primarily due to different hydrogeomorphological characteristics, but also depends on the range of grazing practices on turloughs. Since these often vary within a turlough basin, this helps maintain within-turlough biodiversity. The main threat to turloughs in the past was drainage, but pollution by nutrients is also now potentially detrimental. However, a more recent and important threat may be the cessation of farming within turloughs. As potentially threatened wetlands of European importance, turloughs require a full inventory of their biodiversity and the factors affecting it. The collation here of all literature concerning turloughs will provide a basis for an integrated approach to future research on turloughs that is essential for a full understanding of these complex ecosystems.     

Trees and vegetation for residential energy conservation: A critical review for evidence-based urban greening in North America

The effects of trees on residential energy demand have been extensively studied over the past several decades; yet a comprehensive analysis of their magnitude, variation and emerging issues and evidence has not been updated in the literature. Given this gap, a systematic review was conducted by assessing major disciplines, geographic distributions, methods and reported energy-saving performances for cooling and heating residential homes. An overwhelming majority of literature focused on single family housing types in North America, with a strong geographic concentration in California. In North America, 40 peer-reviewed studies were published from 1979 to 2017 by 19 different journals across disciplines. Researchers used simulation modeling and empirical approaches in roughly equal proportions. The review confirms that the conceptual and empirical evidence to support trees’ energy saving effects is solid, especially for cooling effects, but the magnitude of reported energy-savings widely varied depending on climate, method, data and assumptions for buildings and trees. A building with trees used 2.3% to 90% less cooling energy, mostly through shading effects, and 1% to 20% less heating energy through windbreak effects, in comparison to buildings without trees. Takeaways for evidence-based urban greening are that practitioners and researchers should: i) pay careful attention to different methods and assumptions used when interpreting and comparing research findings ii) pursue long-term monitoring and evidence-based management to enhance tree survival and growth; iii) incorporate emerging trade-offs and synergies such as rooftop solar energy, water conservation, and net carbon savings into design and policies; and iv) prioritize planting for underserved and vulnerable communities.     

小麦叶片叶绿素荧光参数与反射光谱特征的关系

以宁麦9号(低蛋白质含量)、淮麦20(中蛋白质含量)和豫麦34(高蛋白质含量)为试材,设0~300 kg hm^-2不同施氮水平,经2003—2004年和2004—2005年田间试验,对小麦顶部4张叶片叶绿素荧光参数和反射光谱特征的变化规律及其相互关系进行了分析。结果表明,小麦叶片叶绿素荧光参数F_v/F_m和F_v/F_o随施氮水平提高呈上升趋势,同时叶片光谱反射率在不同施氮水平、叶位和生育期均有明显差异。小麦植株顶1叶和顶2叶反射光谱在可见光区（520~680 nm）和近红外区（750~850 nm）与叶绿素荧光参数稳定相关。顶端2张叶片的植被指数DVI(750, 550)、DVI(735, 690)和TVI(750, 670, 550)与荧光参数F_o、F_m、F_v、F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o、F_s、F_m’、F_o’、F_v’、F_v’/F_m’的相关性均较好,其中DVI(750, 550)的相关性最好,且回归系数在不同品种和不同生育期之间没有显著差异。表明利用小麦叶片反射光谱监测其叶绿素荧光参数是可行的。     

Effect of vegetation cover on soil erosion in a mountainous watershed

We applied the Revised Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to assess levels of soil loss in a Geographic Information System (GIS). In this study, we used the k-NN technique to estimate vegetation cover by integrating Landsat ETM+ scenes and field data with optimal parameters. We evaluated the root mean square errors and significance of biases at the pixel level in order to determine the optimal parameters. The accuracy of vegetation cover estimation by the k-NN technique was compared to that predicted by a regression function using Landsat ETM+ bands and field measurements as well as to that predicted by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). We used a regression equation to calculate the cover management (C) factor of the RUSLE from vegetation cover data. On the basis of the quantitative model of soil erosion, we explored the relationship between soil loss and its influencing factors, and identified areas at high erosion risk. The results showed that the k-NN method can predict vegetation cover more accurately for image pixels at the landscape level than can the other two methods examined in this study. Of those factors, the C-factor is one of the most important affecting soil erosion in the region. Scenarios with different vegetation cover on high-risk areas showed that greater vegetation cover can considerably reduce the loss of soil erosion. The k-NN technique provides a new method to estimate the C-factor for RUSLE erosion mapping. The quantitative model of different vegetation cover scenarios provides information on how vegetation restoration could reduce erosion.     

Seasonal dynamics of soil nitrogen availability and phosphorus fractions under urban forest remnants of different vegetation communities in Southern China

Urban forest remnants are a useful tool to study forest response to global change with urbanization. Soil nutrient status in urban forests has not been well understood, especially under the pressure of rapid urbanization in developing countries. In this study, ion-exchange resin bags and a modified Hedley P fractionation procedure were used to measure seasonal dynamics of soil N forms (ammonium and nitrate) and P fractions (available, labile, slow, occlude and weathered mineral P) under urban forest remnants across a successional sequence and non-forest land in the city of Nanchang, Southern China. Results showed that soil N availability varied with season and vegetation community (P < 0.05). Soil P fractions showed minimal seasonal variation except available P, while their averages generally increased with forest development from non-forest land to coniferous forest to conifer-broadleaf mixed forest to evergreen broad-leaved forest. The ratios of fresh soil N forms to P fractions generally decreased with forest development, while N forms absorbed by resins to P fractions generally increased from non-forest land to coniferous forest, then decreased from conifer-broadleaf mixed forest to evergreen broad-leaved forest. It is suggested that urban older forest remnants could easily move to N saturation status and soil P enrichment, causing urban water pollution due to the accumulative effect of elevated atmospheric N deposition and exogenous P input with urbanization.     

Spatial and temporal patterns in structure and diversity of Mediterranean forest of Quercus pyrenaica in relation to fire

The main objective of this work is to analyze the spatial and temporal response of Q. pyrenaica community to fire. In order to do so, an ecological characterization of 15 forests in different succession stages (5 Initial: 0–20 years, 5 Medium: 20–60 years and 5 Mature: over 60 years), paying special attention to structural and diversity features, was carried out. The results show that temporal changes are very important, and particularly affect the structure and relative abundance of the vegetation. The main differences consist in the change from a homogenous structure, with high cover and overlayering of woody species, at Initial stage, to a more pluristratified, complex and organized structure, with lower cover and overlayering of woody species at Mature stage. The changes in abundances showed a decrease in shrubby species, such as the Erica australis, Genista florida and Erica arborea at Initial stage, and the incorporation of tree species, such as Crataegus monogyna, Acer pseudoplatanus and Alnus glutinosa at Mature stage. However, there are no significative differences between stages for specific richness and diversity values. Spatial heterogeneity is high and similar in all three defined stages.     

Sheep grazing in young oak Quercus spp. and ash Fraxinus excelsior plantations: vegetation control, seasonality and tree damage

An experiment was carried out where sheep were grazed in temporary fenced paddocks at a stocking rate of 178 LSU ha⁻¹ in a 5-year old broadleaf plantation of oak (Quercus spp.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) (1.5 m spacing) on fertile, former lowland pasture in Northern Ireland. The grazing regime was rotational and intensive, with two grazing periods of 5 days in February and October 2001. Results showed that a significant proportion of the rank herbage height was removed within the first 24 h of livestock introduction. Herbage biomass was reduced by approximately half after 5 days. Sward height in grazed plots remained significantly lower than control plots for over 6 months after cessation of grazing, whilst biomass remained significantly lower for over 4 months after cessation of grazing. No significant tree damage to either oak or ash was measured during the February grazing trial, however significant damage to the lateral branches of both oak and ash was observed in the October grazing trial. Leader damage did not occur on trees greater than 152 cm. Ash was more commonly browsed than oak. Annual height increment of both tree species was unaffected by grazing, but annual stem diameter increment was significantly reduced in both oak and ash in February grazed plots. Oak trees in both February and October grazed plots were found to have a significantly smaller annual increase in canopy diameter than those in control plots. Results are discussed with regard to practical implementation of controlled grazing in young broadleaf forestry plantations on fertile, lowland soils.     

苹果叶片氮素含量快速检测模型

利用UV-2450型光谱分析仪测量苹果叶片光谱反射率,同时在实验室利用凯氏定氮法测量苹果叶片的氮素质量比,建立了适用于便携式检测仪的苹果叶片氮素含量快速检测模型.研究了苹果叶片光谱特性并进行了光谱反射率与氮素的相关性分析,获得了两个氮素敏感波长652 nm和772 nm.同时,利用分段减量精细采样法,构建了350 ～ 730 nm与740～880 nm波段内所有两两波段形成的归一化植被指数NDVI,并获取了与氮素含量相关性最高的波段组合(859 nm,364 nm)来构建苹果树NDVI.最后建立了基于苹果树NDVI、652 nm处反射率以及772 nm处反射率的偏最小二乘回归模型,建模精度达到0.904 8,均方根误差为0.159 7,检验模型精度达到0.917,均方根误差为0.283 3.     

基于光谱特征与PLSR结合的叶面积指数拟合方法的无人机画幅高光谱遥感应用

以冬小麦LAI为研究对象,利用孕穗期、开花期和灌浆期获取的无人机UHD185高光谱影像以及同步测定的地面数据(冬小麦冠层ASD反射率和冬小麦LAI),论证光谱特征(红边参数或植被指数)与偏最小二乘回归算法结合的改进型LAI拟合方法在无人机画幅高光谱遥感LAI探测方面的应用价值。首先,从光谱反射率相关性和植被指数相关性两方面比较UHD185与ASD,验证UHD185数据精度;结果表明,第3~第96波段(458~830 nm)的无人机UHD185高光谱数据具有较好的光谱质量,适宜探测冬小麦LAI。其次,分析光谱特征(6种植被指数和4种红边参数)与LAI的相关性,并通过独立验证和交叉验证方法,依次对基于红边参数或植被指数的传统LAI拟合方法和改进型LAI拟合方法的冬小麦LAI预测精度进行评价,相比于传统LAI拟合方法,改进型LAI拟合方法能大幅度提高冬小麦LAI的预测精度,特别是PLSR+REP。研究结果证实,改进型LAI拟合方法能更加充分地利用无人机UHD185高光谱数据预测冬小麦LAI,可望为无人机高光谱遥感的作物理化参数探测提供几点可借鉴的思路。     

基于碳氮代谢的水稻氮含量及碳氮比光谱估测

碳氮代谢为植物生长发育提供物质基础，因此碳氮含量及碳氮比的无损快速估测对植物的生长调控有着极其重要的作用。本文系统研究了水稻7个不同氮肥水平下的碳氮代谢特征及其与冠层反射光谱特征之间的关系。结果表明，植株碳氮含量及碳氮比与大多数比值植被指数、归一化植被指数及差值植被指数关系密切，比值植被指数与归一化植被指数的表现一致，差值植被指数略有不同，其中碳氮比的相关性与氮含量类似。氮含量与510 nm和460 nm构成的比值和归一化植被指数的关系最佳，不受生育期的影响，可用统一的方程来预测；碳氮比则需分阶段建模较好，生育后期（抽穗期和灌浆盛期）以ND_(1650,710)最好。经其它独立数据的验证表明，模型对氮含量的估测精度在叶片水平上为80.51%，在植株水平上为76.36%，预测的RMSE分别为0.20和0.26，叶片和植株碳氮比的估测精度分别为81.09%和70.70%，预测的RMSE分别为1.64和3.95。表明通过植被指数的计算可以定量地评估水稻氮含量及碳氮比。