Spatial integration of freshwater fish markets in the Northern Baltic Sea area

Freshwater fish species and Baltic salmon (Salmo salar) are important to small-scale fisheries in Finland and Sweden. The formerly local markets for these species have expanded as trade has been opened up to international competition. In this study we use cointegration analysis to test the spatial integration of freshwater fish markets in Finland and between Finland and Sweden. The analysed fish species are salmon, perch (Perca fluviatilis), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), European whitefish (Goregonus lavaretus) and pike (Exos lucius), and the data covers ex-vessel prices from 1993 or 1995 to 2004. We found that the regional prices in Finland were cointegrated. This indicates that the prices are determined on a single market in Finland. Moreover, the study suggests that Finnish and Swedish markets in Baltic salmon, whitefish, pikeperch and perch were partially integrated, while integration of pike markets could not be found. The political implication is that an essential part of the local small-scale fisheries’ operational environment is determined outside the national borders.     

Application of the Tweedie distribution to zero-catch data in CPUE analysis

We focus on the zero-catch problem of CPUE (catch per unit effort) standardization. Because the traditional CPUE model with a log-normal error structure cannot be applied in this case, three methods have often been utilized as follows:

(1) Ad hoc method adds a small constant value to all response variables.

(2) Catch model with a Poisson or negative-binomial (NB) error structure.

(3) Delta-type two-step method such as the delta-normal model (after estimating the ratio of zero-catch using a logit or probit model, a model such as CPUE log-normal or Catch-Poisson is applied to CPUE without zero-data).

However, there are some statistical problems with each of these methods.In this paper, we carried out the CPUE standardization mainly using the Tweedie distribution model based on the actual by-catch data (silky shark, Carcharhimus falciformis, in the North Pacific Ocean caught by Japanese training vessels) including many observations with zero-catch (>2/3rd) and tuna fishery data as a target (yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, in the Indian Ocean caught by Japanese commercial vessels) where the ratio of zero-catch is not so high (<1/3rd). The Tweedie model is an extension of compound Poisson model derived from the stochastic process where the weight of the counted objects (i.e., number of fish) has a gamma distribution and has an advantage of handling the zero-catch data in a unified way.We also compared four candidate models, the Catch-NB model, ad hoc method, Delta-lognormal model (delta-type two-step method) and Tweedie distribution, through CPUE analyses of actual fishery data in terms of the statistical performance. Square error and Pearson's correlation coefficient were calculated based on the observed CPUE and the corresponding predicted CPUE using the n-fold cross-validation.As a result, the differences in the trend of CPUE between years and model performance between the ad hoc method and Tweedie model were found to be not so large in the example of yellowfin tuna (target species). However, the statistical performance of Tweedie distribution is rather better than Delta-lognormal model, the Catch-NB distribution and ad hoc method in the example of silky shark (by-catch species). Standardized CPUE year trend of ad hoc method was found to be quite different from that of the Tweedie distribution and other two models. Model performance of the Tweedie distribution is good judging from the 5-fold cross-validation using the fishery data if including many zero-catch data such as by-catch species.     

Dispersal of woody plants in forest edges and hedgerows in a Southern Swedish agricultural area: the role of site and landscape structure

The distribution of woody vegetation was studied in forest edges and hedgerows in a 28 km² southern Swedish agricultural area, characterised by species-rich edge zones. The occurrence of 21 selected woody species (taxa) was related to differences in both edge structure and landscape structure. All the species studied were represented in both edge types, but a higher frequency of animal-dispersed species was found in hedgerows.Animal dispersed species were more affected by edge width and density than wind dispersed species. A higher number of wind-dispersed species were more frequent in forest edges, in hedgerows near to forest, or with a high proportion of forest within 500 m. A clear relationship was found between the number of physically connected elements in hedgerow networks and increasing frequency of occurrence for Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Euonymus europaeus, and Quercus robur; which indicate the ecological significance of connectedness for certain animal dispersed species. The study supports the general principle that woody species distribution and landscape structure are linked in a positive feedback loop. The results match findings from studies in other countries and are interpreted in the context of landscape processes and the ecological characteristics of woody plant species. We emphasise the importance of understanding dispersal mechanisms of woody species for the design and improvement of edge habitats in agricultural landscapes.     

Direct somatic embryogenesis in Epipactis veratrifolia,a temperate terrestrial orchid

Most temperate terrestrial orchids are endangered species. Attempts to produce plantlets from plants of the genus Epipactis by asexual methods have totally failed. This study was conducted using somatic embryogenesis as a rapid vegetative propagation technique for conservation of E. veratrifolia. For these purposes, effects of different types of plant growth regulators (PGRs), different types of explants, light and dark conditions, and the effect of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and Paclobutrazol (PBZ) were investigated on somatic embryogenesis induction. Abscisic acid (ABA) pre-treatment effectiveness on inducting somatic embryogenesis and increasing the number of embryos per explant were investigated. Subsequently, 16 media were tested to find the best medium for plant regeneration and shoot and root proliferation. BA (3 mg L^?1) resulted in a better response than the other PGRs by supporting the development of 17 embryos per protocorm. PBZ, which resulted in 11 embryos per explant, was better than GA₃. FAST medium supplemented with organic substances was recognized as the best medium for plant regeneration and shoot and root proliferation. ABA pre-treatment had positive effect on somatic embryogenesis initiation. This study, for the first time, succeeded in finding a rapid and suitable protocol for propagation and genetic resource conservation of E. veratrifolia.     

Spatiotemporal dynamics of plant diversity in response to farmers’ evolved settlements in Shanghai

The expansion of the Shanghai metropolitan region has caused a substantial amount of farmland to become urbanized. Most farmers have lost their land and have been relocated from villages to new collective settlements, resulting in dramatic changes in the landscape pattern. This study explores the effects of this transformation on the spatiotemporal dynamics of plant diversity. We randomly sampled 22 plots comprising 294 subplots within two crossed transects that pass through 5 traditional villages and 17 new settlements. The results show that resettlement has exerted significant effects on plant species diversity, both temporally and spatially. Temporally, the Gleason index (GI) of total species over time could be ordered as 1990s > 2000s > 1980s, while Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI) was ordered as 2000s > 1990s > 1980s. Spatially, the GI of total species decreased from the urban center to the exurbs or from the inside to the outside of the built-up areas. SHDI was highest in suburbs or ecotones. Furthermore, the GI of total species had significant correlations with those of indigenous species, exotic species, and planted species (r > 0.90, p < 0.01) as well as with the region and location of settlement (r < −0.48, p < 0.01). Both indigenous and exotic species had significant positive correlations with total species richness at 0.01 levels. Generally, compared with traditional settlements, new settlements displayed greater richness and diversity of plant species, primarily because of the exotic species present in new settlements. The farmers’ socio-economic status was found to be the primary cause of differences in species richness. To protect indigenous and wild species, it is necessary to take into account local knowledge in villages to encourage Chinese farmers to participate actively in community greening. A bridge should be built between traditional villages and modern settlements and between the past and future for farmers.     

Characterizing the pigmented traditional rice cultivars grown in temperate regions of Kashmir (India) for free and bound phenolics compounds and in vitro antioxidant properties

The purpose of the research was to identify the phenolic and flavonoid compounds of seven different traditional pigmented whole rice cultivars grown in the temperate regions of Kashmir so as to study their relationship with in vitro antioxidant capacities. The completely pigmented rice cultivars were found to have higher phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin contents and exhibited higher antioxidant capacities than the light colored and sparely colored rice cultivars. A total of 40 compounds had been identified in the analyzed rice cultivars that were found to be distributed in 6 major categories with 6-phenolics, 6-flavonoids, 11-hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, 7-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, 3-anthocyanins and 7-flavonoid glucosides of different flavonoid compounds. Among the free and bound fractions for each cultivars the light and sparsely colored depicted higher content of phenolics and in vitro antioxidant properties in bound faction, while the completely pigmented cultivars showed higher antioxidant properties in free fractions. The anthocyanins quercetin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and pelargonidin-3-O-diglucoside had been identified by LC-MS existing in the free fractions of the analyzed rice cultivars whereas, the free fraction of acetone + H₂O possessed higher percentage of phenolic compounds as compared to methanolic extracts and bound fractions. The black colored cultivars possessed higher DPPH scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition.     

海南被子植物分布新资料(Ⅱ)

报道了海南岛被子植物5个新记录种。新记录种分别为三室黄麻(Corchorus trilocularis L.)、钻叶紫菀(Symphyotrichum subulatum(Michx.)G.L.Nesom)、光果姜(Zingiber nudicarpum D.Fang)、线纹香茶菜(Isodon lophanthoides(Buch.-Ham.ex D.Don)H.Hara)、狭序泡花树(Meliosma paupera Hand.-Mazz.)。凭证标本保存于中国热带农业科学院植物标本室(ATCH)。     

茉莉酸甲酯诱导辣椒抗青枯病与活性氧代谢的关系

为探究茉莉酸甲酯(Methyl Jasmonate,Me JA)诱导辣椒抗青枯病效应与活性氧代谢相关酶的关系,以辣椒易感青枯病品种‘粤红1号’和抗青枯病品种‘辛香8号’幼苗为试验材料,在0.1mmol·L-1 Me JA喷雾处理后12、24、48、72和96 h接种青枯劳尔氏菌(Ralstonia solanacearum),对其进行青枯病病情指数与活性氧代谢相关酶——超氧化酶歧化酶(Superoxide Dismutase,SOD)、过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)、过氧化物酶(Peroxidase,POD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(Ascorbate Peroxidase,APX)活性以及丙二醛(Malondialdehyde,MDA)含量测定及相互关系的分析。结果表明:‘粤红1号’和‘辛香8号’的病情指数随喷Me JA处理时间的推移表现为先降后升,但都低于对照;而诱导效果则相反,Me JA处理对两个辣椒品种幼苗抗性的最适诱导时间均为接种前48 h。接种后0~96 h,Me JA喷雾处理的辣椒幼苗叶片SOD、CAT、POD和APX酶活性均显示先升后降的趋势,且明显高于对照,接种后24~48 h达到最高,而MDA含量则明显低于对照。因此,Me JA可诱导辣椒幼苗抗青枯病,其实现途径可能与提高活性氧代谢相关酶活性和缓解膜脂过氧化有关。     

2006—2014 年民勤4 种典型荒漠群落结构 及物种多样性变化研究

根据2006—2014 年民勤荒漠植物4 个样区36 个样方调查数据,对该区沙蒿、梭梭、麻黄和白刺4种典型荒漠植物群落结构及物种多样性进行分析。结果表明：该区群落结构简单,物种相对单一且数量较少,植物都是以较低的芽位适应生境条件;灌木层物种的变化不大,草本层物种有所增加;多样性指数沙蒿群落、梭梭群落和白刺群落的略有增加,而麻黄群落略有减小;该区群落结构和物种多样性的变化主要由于草本层的物种变化引起。了解和掌握民勤荒漠植物群落的结构和物种多样性变化规律,对于推动干旱荒漠区植被恢复和物种多样性的保护提供依据。