Contribution of sewage sludge to erosion control in the rehabilitation of limestone quarries

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high doses of municipal sludge on soil aggregation and to assess its value for soil erosion reduction, both under natural and in simulated rainfall conditions. Doses of 200 and 400 Mg ha⁻¹ sewage sludge (dry weight) were applied to the soil of experimental plots situated on a 28 degree slope. Two sludge application procedures were tested: pre-mixing into the soil before disposal on the slope, and direct application on the soil surface. Sheet erosion was measured by collecting the sediment carried down to a Gerlach trough situated at the base of the plots. Simulated rainfall, with an intensity of 64 mm h⁻¹, was applied to evaluate soil erodibility. When the soil had no vegetation, the erosion measured on plots treated with sludge represented less than 10 per cent of the erosion from the control plot. Even when the vegetation was well developed, the erosion was also lower in the plots where sludge had been applied. In simulated rainfall, the soil loss was inversely proportional to the sludge dose, and when sludge was applied directly on the soil surface the erosion rates and particle mobilization caused by raindrop impact were minimal. Sludge amendments increase infiltration rates and improve soil structure, increasing the mean weight diameter of aggregates and their water resistance.     

Using the RUSLE to identify factors controlling erosion rates of mine soils

Observable differences in particle size, smoothness and compaction between cap site (slope 2·8 per cent) and batter site (slope 20·7 per cent) surfaces on the waste rock dump at Ranger Uranium Mine were quantified in terms of revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) parameter values. Cap site surface material had a K_m (erodibility corrected for sediment density) of 0·030 and batter site surface material had a K_m of 0·0056. Using these K_m values (derived from particle size distributions), slope length and steepness (LS) factors of 0·36 for the cap site and 3·66 for the batter site, and a cover (C) factor of 0·45 for the cap site and 0·16 for the batter site, the RUSLE predicts an erosion rate from the cap site that is 1·9 times greater than erosion from the much steeper batter site. The RUSLE indicates that the finer particle size and blocky soil structure of the cap site (D₅₀ = 0·91 mm) compared with the looser granular structure of the batter site (D₅₀ = 1·74 mm) strongly influence erosion. The predictions are similar to observed soil losses from erosion plots on these sites under rainfall simulation events, for which the measured erosion rate from the cap site was approximately twice that from the batter site. For the RUSLE to predict the observed erosion rates, the support practice (P) factor for the cap site would have to be approximately 30 per cent greater than the P factor for the batter site. The higher cap site P factor probably results from smoothing and compaction caused by vehicle movement across the surface. Compaction is considered to have greatly reduced infiltration capacity, thus increasing the erodibility of the cap site. Vehicles probably also crushed the surface material at the cap site, creating the observed finer particle size distribution and further increasing the erodibility. Compaction, through its effects on erodibility (K_m) and surface roughness (P), is concluded to be the major cause of higher erosion from the cap site, even though the slope steepness is 10 times less. Parameterisation of the RUSLE quantifies the differences between sites and explains the unexpected erosion rates observed. The results highlight the need for careful management of rehabilitated sites to avoid increases in erosion which may arise from compaction by machinery.     

粤北地区 3 种生境红火蚁蚁丘分布及影响因素

【目的】研究红火蚁在粤北地区不同生境中红火蚁蚁丘的分布特征,为该虫的监测、防治提供科学依据。【方法】采用样方方法调查3种生境(荒地、田埂、草坪)红火蚁蚁丘的密度和大小,采用聚集度指标法和Taylor幂函数回归模型对蚁丘的空间分布型进行研究,并对荒地生境蚁丘密度和植物多样性进行相关性分析。【结果】田埂蚁丘密度明显高于荒地和草坪,高达18.67个/100 m~2,超过草坪生境蚁丘密度的10倍;荒地、田埂和草坪生境蚁丘基部周长相差不明显,但荒地生境蚁巢高度明显高于田埂和草坪;通过聚集度指标和Taylor幂函数来看,荒地和田埂生境蚁丘多表现为均匀分布或随机分布,而草坪生境蚁丘多表现为聚集分布;研究发现粤北地区红火蚁入侵并未造成荒地生境植物多样性下降。【结论】受人为干扰等因素影响,红火蚁在粤北地区不同生境发生程度由重到轻依次为田埂、荒地、草坪;蚁丘在荒地和田埂上多呈均匀分布或随机分布,在草坪上多呈聚集分布,这种分布差异主要是由人为干扰和红火蚁筑巢习性共同引起的;红火蚁蚁丘密度与荒地中植物多样性呈正相关趋势,但相关性不显著。     

Predicting the potential geographic distribution of Bactrocera bryoniae and Bactrocera neohumeralis(Diptera: Tephritidae) in China using MaxEnt ecological niche modeling

Bactrocera bryoniae and Bactrocera neohumeralis are highly destructive and major biosecurity/quarantine pests of fruit and vegetable in the tropical and subtropical regions in the South Pacific and Australia. Although these pests have not established in China, precautions must be taken due to their highly destructive nature. Thus, we predicted the potential geographic distribution of B. bryoniae and B. neohumeralis across the world and in particular China by ecological niche modeling of the Maximum Entropy(Max Ent) model with the occurrence records of these two species. Bactrocera bryoniae and B. neohumeralis exhibit similar potential geographic distribution ranges across the world and in China, and each species was predicted to be able to distribute to over 20% of the globe. Globally, the potential geographic distribution ranges for these two fruit fly species included southern Asia, the central and the southeast coast of Africa, southern North America, northern and central South America, and Australia. While within China, most of the southern Yangtze River area was found suitable for these species. Notably, southern China was considered to have the highest risk of B. bryoniae and B. neohumeralis invasions. Our study identifies the regions at high risk for potential establishment of B. bryoniae and B. neohumeralis in the world and in particular China, and informs the development of inspection and biosecurity/quarantine measures to prevent and control their invasions.     

Geomorphic estimates of the stability of a uranium mill tailings containment cover: Nabarlek,Northern Territory,Australia

The geomorphic stability of the cover (cap) over the pit of Nabarlek Uranium Mine in Arnhem Land, Northern Australia, is important because radon gas and other long-lived radio-nuclides arising from mill tailings must be contained for long periods. The primary agents of denudation in the region's seasonally wet tropical environment of low relief are rainwash, overland flow, rilling and gullying. Other agents of erosion are of less concern, although biogenic agents of erosion (e.g. termites and windthrow) may enhance fluvial activity. A combination of modelling, using the Universal Soil Loss Equation, and analogue estimates of denudation and thresholds of rilling and gullying from areas with similar geology, topography and climate are used to estimate the stability of the Nabarlek cover. Denudation rates are conservatively estimated at less than 100mm ky⁻¹. It is suggested that with some minor design modifications the cover will retain its integrity for several thousand years.     

基于水文分析的动物通道选址——以龙栖山自然保护区为例

自然保护区内道路等基础设施的建设不可避免地会对动物生境产生影响,造成动物死亡率提升。动物通道的设置是改善由道路建设引起的生境破碎化的有效途径,而正确选择动物通道的位置才能使其真正发挥作用。以福建省将乐县龙栖山国家级自然保护区为对象,选取对林区生境影响较大的6种环境因子:树种类型、树种平均年龄、胸径、坡度、海拔以及郁闭度,使用层次分析法(AHP)进行权重分析,相对权重依次为0.296、0.235、0.163、0.085、0.076、0.145。将因子进行叠加构建出生境适宜性指数(HSI)评价模型,并对研究区的生境适宜性进行评价。在此基础上采用ArcGIS的水文分析模块模拟动物潜在的活动路径与道路叠加,从而确定合适的动物通道位置。结果表明,HSI较高的区域多集中在自然保护区中部高海拔地区与缓坡地带,植被主要以天然阔叶林为主,树种的平均年龄大,覆盖面积广,郁闭度高,能够为大中型的走兽提供较好的觅食、隐蔽、繁殖场所,结合量化出的动物活动路径,得到2处动物通道的理想位置。此经HSI模型模拟出的路线只能是一种大概率情况,所建议的通道建设完成后,还需进行持续的野生动物利用情况监测,以评估通道的有效性,进而进行有针对性的改造设计,直到野生动物通道的利用效果良好。对于所得到的动物活动路径,不仅可以为动物通道选址提供参考,也可为动物迁移廊道修正、林区择伐等提供科学依据。     

陕西紫柏山自然保护区林麝种群密度

2003年和2004年冬季,采用粪堆计数法对陕西省凤县紫柏山自然保护区林麝Moschus berezovskii的种群密度进行了调查。结果表明,紫柏山自然保护区林麝总密度为(0.48±0.75)头.km-2(平均密度±标准差)。以针阔混交林的林麝种群密度最高,为(0.94±0.05)头.km-2(平均密度±标准误),阔叶林和灌木林次之,分别为(0.28±0.02)和(0.13±0.02)头.km-2(平均密度±标准误),草地(包括荒地)以及山顶草地 灌木 低矮乔木镶嵌景观中林麝密度均为0。在北坡,林麝主要分布在中山地带(海拔为1 700-2 100 m),南坡则主要分布在高山地带(海拔2 100-2 450 m),这种分布的差异可能与坡向和人为干扰有关。总之,紫柏山自然保护区林麝密度极低,迫切需要加强保护,恢复种群。图2表3参27     

大熊猫在原始林和次生林中生境利用的比较研究

在四川省宝兴县大熊猫栖息地中调查了 12种生态因子的 5 8种生境类型 ,利用Forageratio指数对大熊猫在原始林和次生林中的生境选择进行了比较研究 .在原始林 2 0 82个样方中发现有大熊猫痕迹样方 4 31个 ,有大熊猫痕迹样方数占调查样方数的 2 0 7% ;在 15 82个次生林样方中有大熊猫痕迹样方 15 2个 ,有大熊猫痕迹样方数占调查样方数的 9 6 % .研究结果表明 :①原始林中大熊猫回避大于坡度 4 0°的生境类型 ,而在次生林生境中对坡度没有表现明显的偏好 .②坡向和乔木郁闭度对大熊猫的生境选择没有明显影响 .③原始林和次生林中的大熊猫都偏好针阔混交林 ,但在次生林中还把选择范围扩大到针叶林和阔叶林 .④原始林中大熊猫偏好乔木胸径 30～ 5 0cm的生境 ,次生林中降至 2 0cm以上 .⑤大熊猫在原始林中回避竹类植物盖度低于 5 0 %的生境 ,在次生林则随机选择这类生境 .⑥大熊猫明显偏好原始林 .在全部 12个生态因子中 ,大熊猫对 11个因子的选择发生了改变 ,改变程度各不相同 .大熊猫在原始林中要回避的 9个生境类型 ,在次生林中变得随机选择 ;在原始林中随机选择的 6个生境类型 ,在次生林中变得偏好 .上述结果说明 ,对于原始林中回避或随机选择的生境特征 ,次生林中的大熊猫变成随机选择或偏好 .因此 ,大?     

浙江省白豆杉资源调查研究

为查清浙江省白豆杉资源状况,应用典型抽样的原理对浙江省白豆杉分布面积、数量、生境、植物区系及群落特点等进行实地的样方调查.调查得知,浙江省白豆杉有11个分布点,根据29个样方的调查资料推算,浙江省白豆杉的资源总量为24.22万丛,分布面积为408.08 hm2;通过对资料的整理分析,浙江省白豆杉群落的植物区系具有起源古老,珍稀植物较多,地理成分复杂,并具有明显的过渡性等特点;其群落类型属于4个植被型,8个群系组,11个群系类型,白豆杉的生长分布与其所处生境和伴生种猴头杜鹃存在着密切联系.