Patterns of bird predation on reptiles in small woodland remnant edges in peri-urban north-western Sydney, Australia

The predator–prey relationship plays an integral role in community structure. In the presence of habitat fragmentation, the dynamic interaction among co-existing species may be disrupted. In this paper we investigated the interaction between small skinks resident in open woodland remnants and the predatory birds that cross-forage between the remnants and the surrounding peri-urban matrix. Skinks were found in significantly fewer numbers in the edge of remnants compared to their core. In contrast, predatory birds were in largest numbers at the edge compared to the core of remnants. We found that there was a strong negative correlation between skink numbers and predatory birds (individually and combined) consistent with higher predation pressure in the edge compared to the core of remnants. Strike rates on decoys that mimicked skinks were also higher in the edge compared to core habitats, consistent with higher predation rates in this edge habitat.     

Interspecific interactions of ungulates in European forests: an overview

Mammalian herbivores vary in the degree to which they browse, graze and cause physical disturbance, and so vary in the effects they have on the structure and composition of forest ecosystems. To create predictive models of the interactions of forest ecosystems with herbivore communities, an appreciation of the interactions between the species of herbivore themselves is necessary. This paper reviews interspecific interactions of ungulates, methods used in studying them, and seeks to identify areas to which future research should be directed in the context of European forest systems. Methods that have been used to provide information on interactions include: comparative resource studies, niche theory, physiological and anatomical analyses, modeling and foraging theory, and population studies. The most commonly reported types of interactions appear to be competition and facilitation. Behavioural and social interactions between species are potentially important, but evidence for these is scarce and often anecdotal. It is suggested that there may be considerable potential for ungulates to interact in European forests which are often significantly altered from their natural state. Future research should aim at refining the theoretical understanding of interspecific interactions, particularly between ungulates with different feeding ecologies. The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) has a major impact on forest ecosystems and is increasing its range throughout Europe. However, there is evidence that it may be displaced or out-competed by a number of ungulate species, and it is suggested as being research priority to quantify these effects.     

PUT、SPD对辣椒果实中辣椒素及相关物质的影响

以沈椒四号麻辣椒为试材,在辣椒花期喷施不同浓度的PUT、SPD、SPM,研究了外源多胺处理的辣椒果实中辣椒素及其代谢相关物质的变化。结果表明,PUT0.1(1×10-4mol.L-1)和SPD1(1×10-3mol.L-1)能够促进辣椒素的积累,PUT0.1处理促进作用最强。PUT0.1和SPD1均能促进PAL和POD的活性。PUT0.1能够降低PPO的活性和抑制木质素的合成。所有多胺处理均能促进类黄酮和单宁的积累,但PUT0.1对单宁的促进作用较大,对类黄酮的促进作用较小。PUT0.1为促进辣椒素积累的最佳处理。     

Aboveground carbon biomass of plantation-grown American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in absence of blight

Forest management activities may help reduce global net CO₂ concentrations by capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂. Research related to carbon sequestration potential of plantations in North America has focused predominantly on conifers, with relatively little emphasis thus far on temperate deciduous forest tree species. American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.), a former dominant tree species in eastern North America until its demise associated with the introduced chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr.), is a temperate deciduous species that holds promise for future carbon sequestration programs with expected availability of blight-resistant backcross hybrids. We quantified aboveground biomass and bole carbon of American chestnut interplanted with black walnut (Juglans nirga L.) and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) across four blight-free experimental sites varying in site quality and/or age (8, 8, 12, and 19 years) isolated from the native American chestnut range in the Coulee Region of southwestern Wisconsin, USA. American chestnut exhibited more rapid growth and greater aboveground biomass and bole carbon than either of the other interplanted species. Aboveground biomass ranged from 46.9, 60.7, 55.0, and 179.9 Mg ha⁻¹ for the 8-, 8-, 12-, and 19-year-old sites, respectively, while bole carbon content ranged from 13.6, 18.6, 14.1, and 60.1 Mg ha⁻¹ for the 8-, 8-, 12-, and 19-year-old sites, respectively. Cross-referencing our data to studies conducted within this same physiographic region using other important forestry species (i.e., Populus tremuloides Michx., Pinus resinosa Ait., and Pinus strobus L.) showed that American chestnut compared favorably in growth and carbon uptake. Incorporating American chestnut into carbon sequestration plantations provides additional ecological and economic benefits associated with consistent production of quality nuts for wildlife, valuable timber, and contribution toward species restoration. Our data lend support to building evidence demonstrating rapid and sustained growth of American chestnut and the potential role of plantation-grown American chestnut in helping to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.     

一年生混播草地生物量和品质以及种间竞争的动态研究

研究单播和混播燕麦和箭Ｋｕｏ豌豆草地生物量、品质及种间竞争动态。结果表明,生育期间除蜡熟期、成熟期外、单播燕麦产草量均高于其它处理。燕麦５０％＋箭Ｋｕｏ豌豆５０％混播处理在蜡熟期、成熟期产草量最高。从开花期开始,各处理单位面积粗蛋白质产量均显著（Ｐ〈０．０５）高于单播燕麦,而中性洗涤纤维（ＮＤＦ）、酸性洗涤纤维（ＡＤＦ）含量均低于单播燕麦。燕麦蜡熟期和简明Ｋｕｏ豌豆结荚期是饲草最佳刈割期。以燕麦２     

牦牛放牧率对江河源区混播禾草地上初级生产量及种间竞争力的影响

在江河源区2龄混播禾草草地(垂穗披碱草 星星草)上牦牛放牧试验结果表明: 随着放牧率的增加,在生长期内不同功能群地上净初级生产量和总地上初级生产量均出现了单峰曲线变化,即“S”型变化趋势; 总的地上净初级生产量和垂穗披碱草地上净初级生产量对放牧率的变化很敏感, 且随着放牧率的增加, 峰值出现日期提前; 其它禾草和星星草的峰值对放牧率的变化不很敏感;莎草类和杂草类对放牧率的变化比较敏感。随放牧率的增加, 地上现存量和总地上初级生产量的峰值下降, 且达到峰值的时间提前。在整个放牧期(植物生长期),重度放牧的RYT值均小于1,表明重度放牧使垂穗披碱草和星星草一直处于拮抗状态,其它各处理组在生长中后期也处于拮抗状态; 不同放牧率(包括对照)下垂穗披碱草的竞争力强于星星草, 垂穗披碱草因其高度和发达而较深的根系成为竞争的优胜者。     

Competition between inoculated and indigenous Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium spp. strains for nodulation of grain and fodder legumes in Pakistan

Summary The competitive ability of inoculated and indigenous Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium spp. to nodulate and fix N₂ in grain legumes (Glycine max, Vigna unguiculata, Phaseolus vulgaris) and fodder legumes (Vicia sativa, Medicago sativa, and Trifolium subterraneum) was studied in pots with two local soils collected from two different fields on the basis of cropping history. The native population was estimated by a most-probable-number plant infectivity test in growth pouches and culture tubes. The indigenous rhizobial/bradyrhizobial population ranged from 3 to 2×10⁴ and 0 to 4.4×10³ cells g^-1 in the two soils (the first with, the second without a history of legume cropping). Inoculated G. max, P. vulgaris, and T. subterraneum plants had significantly more nodules with a greater nodule mass than uninoculated plants, but N₂ fixation was increased only in G. max and P. vulgaris. A significant response to inoculation was observed in the grain legume P. vulgaris in the soil not previously used to grow legumes, even in the presence of higher indigenous population (>10³ cells g^-1 soil of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv phaseoli). No difference in yield was observed with the fodder legumes in response to inoculation, even with the indigenous Rhizobium sp. as low as <14 cells g^-1 soil and although the number and weight of nodules were significantly increased by the inoculation in T. subterraneum. Overall recovery of the inoculated strains was 38–100%, as determined by a fluorescent antibody technique. In general, the inoculation increased N₂ fixation only in 3 out of 12 legume species-soil combinations in the presence of an indigenous population of rhizobial/bradyrhizobial strains.     

Effect of eye fluke infection on the growth of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) —An experimental approach

Effect of the eye fluke Diplostomum spathaceum on fish growth has remained somewhat unclear because 1) the question has not been subjected to experimental examination with treatment-control setup and 2) growth has not been related to the coverage of parasite-induced cataracts in a quantitative manner. We examined effects of the parasite on growth and competitive ability of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) in experimental conditions resembling those at fish farms by maintaining groups of exposed and control fish, as well as mixed groups from both treatments, under optimal conditions for 8 weeks. Contrary to our expectations, we did not observe differences in fish growth between the treatments. However, at the level of individual fish, parasite-induced cataracts had a negative effect on weight of the exposed fish but this took place only when the cataract coverage reached 100% in both eyes. No effect of the infection on competitive ability of fish was observed in mixed treatments which may be related to patterns of food distribution in the tanks or cues received by the fish from less infected conspecifics. Overall, the results suggest that effects of D. spathaceum on fish growth become apparent only in cases of very high cataract coverage, and that feeding regimes and the shape of the cataract coverage distribution in a fish group are important determinants of the magnitude of these effects.     

柞蚕微孢子虫胶体金免疫层析检测法

利用柞蚕微孢子虫孢子液直接免疫家兔获得柞蚕微孢子虫多克隆抗体后,分别采用双抗夹心法和竞争法制作胶体金免疫层析试纸条,建立能简便、快捷、准确诊断柞蚕微粒子病的柞蚕微孢子虫胶体金免疫层析检测法。双抗夹心法和竞争法分别是将柞蚕微孢子虫多克隆抗体与25 nm和17 nm的胶体金颗粒结合并固定在金标垫上,然后均将羊抗兔二抗包被在硝酸纤维素膜上作为质控点(C),但是2种方法制作的胶体金免疫层析试纸条的反应模式不同:前者是以柞蚕微孢子虫多克隆抗体作为检测点(T),而后者以柞蚕微孢子虫孢壁蛋白作为检测点(T)。2种方法制作的胶体金免疫层析试纸条的检测时间均为10 min,检测灵敏度为0.8×107个/mL,与柞蚕血淋巴无交叉反应,特异性强,操作简单,其中,以双抗夹心法制作的试纸条显色更清晰,结果更可靠,更具实用价值。     

桤柏混交林种间竞争关系的研究

运用邻体干扰指数模型研究了四川桤柏混交林的种间邻体干扰效应,并采用Lotka-Volterra竞争方程探讨了成熟林的种间竞争关系。结果表明,桤柏混交林存在着强烈的邻体干扰现象,种间在资源利用上产生广泛的生态位重叠,物种之间有着不对称的竞争关系,根据竞争模型预测,桤木最终将被排斥而退出群落。