Field estimates of scalar advection across a canopy edge

Measurements of the horizontal and vertical fluxes of energy and mass were taken at a crop canopy edge and downwind of it to examine the effects of inhomogeneity on surface-atmosphere exchange, for the ideal case of flat uniform terrain. Energy balance closure was also examined and the effects of the often-neglected advection terms on the energy budget were evaluated. The results show that neither vertical nor horizontal advection should be neglected for moderate distances downwind from heterogeneous boundaries, with the energy budget closure near the leading edge improved by more than 20% with the inclusion of the horizontal and vertical advection of latent and sensible heat. Significant mean advective horizontal and vertical flux divergences of water vapor and temperature were found even in typical daytime conditions. In stable conditions horizontal advection can be responsible for more than 15% of the scalar (water vapor) transport 136 canopy heights downwind of a change in water vapor source density and surface roughness.     

基于红边参数的棉花冠层叶片氮积累量之估算研究

测试了棉花2个品种4水平种植密度的4个关键生育时期冠层反射光谱,应用微分技术处理棉花冠层反射光谱,提取了红边(680～750nm)波段范围的最大一阶微分值(Dr)和红边面积(SDr)参数。分析了棉花冠层红边参数在不同生育期的变化特征和棉花吐絮期的两种生长类型的冠层红边状况,表明红边位置可以指示它们的氮素状况。以新陆早8号的SDr为自变量与对应的LNA为因变量进行相关分析,SDr与冠层LNA达1%极显著相关(R=0.9186**,n=32),利用其构建的模型方程估算新陆早6号的LNA,实测LNA和估测LNA的估计标准差为0.8909g/m2,估算精度为88.1%(R=0.9277**,n=32),说明采用高光谱提取的红边参数信息是无损实时、快捷评价棉花氮素状况的有效方法。     

分形与形态学在原木漏节图像边缘检测中的应用

采用X射线无损检测系统透射被检测的原木,根据检测透射物体后射线强度的差异,得到漏节图像。将图像分割成若干子区域,应用最小盒计数法计算每个子区域的分形维数,将图像从空域描述变换到分形域描述。进而应用数学形态学对得到的分形维数图进行有效的边缘检测,以确定原木缺陷的种类。检测结果表明：将分形理论和数学形态学结合起来的边缘检测方法,可以快速、准确地检测出原木漏节图像边缘。     

Habitat Selection and Breeding Success in a Forest-nesting Alcid, the Marbled Murrelet, in Two Landscapes with Different Degrees of Forest Fragmentation

We studied habitat selection and breeding success in marked populations of a protected seabird (family Alcidae), the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), in a relatively intact and a heavily logged old-growth forest landscape in south-western Canada. Murrelets used old-growth fragments either proportionately to their size frequency distribution (intact) or they tended to nest in disproportionately smaller fragments (logged). Multiple regression modelling showed that murrelet distribution could be explained by proximity of nests to landscape features producing biotic and abiotic edge effects. Streams, steeper slopes and lower elevations were selected in both landscapes, probably due to good nesting habitat conditions and easier access to nest sites. In the logged landscape, the murrelets nested closer to recent clearcuts than would be expected. Proximity to the ocean was favoured in the intact area. The models of habitat selection had satisfactory discriminatory ability in both landscapes. Breeding success (probability of nest survival to the middle of the chick rearing period), inferred from nest attendance patterns by radio-tagged parents, was modelled in the logged landscape. Survivorship was greater in areas with recent clearcuts and lower in areas with much regrowth, i.e. it was positively correlated with recent habitat fragmentation. We conclude that marbled murrelets can successfully breed in old-growth forests fragmented by logging.     

Post-fire habitat restoration of sables during winter season in northern slope of the Great Xing＇an Mountains

Habitat loss and fragmentation have been associated with the decline of endangered species. In 1987, a catastrophic fire in the northern Great Hing＇an Mountains of China, where the main habitat of sables （Martes zibellina） is located, aggravated the loss and fragmentation of the forest landscape. Due to restricted distribution and low population density, sables were listed in the national first-grade protected species in China. The objective of this paper was to identify to what extent the habitat of sables had been restored 13 years after the fire. Based on the behavioral data, which came from field survey information by radio-tracking, GPS （Global Positioning System） and forest inventory data, suitability habitat maps were derived using the Ecological Niche Suitability Model （ENSM）. In addition, the habitat structure was analyzed with selected landscape indices. Although forest cover mostly had been restored by 2000, the results indicated that, compared to the pre-fire situation, the areas of suitable habitat had been reduced significantly, especially those of less suitable, marginally suitable and moderately suitable designation. Fragmentation was aggravated, and suitable patches were found to be further isolated with the exception of those in most suitable areas. The ratio of the patch perimeter to area in unsuitable, moderately suitable and suitable areas decreased, while the ratios within other suitability types increased. Moreover, the percentage of soft boundaries decreased slightly, which can influence the redistribution of sables. The results above indicated that the suitable habitat had deteriorated, and the restoration of the sables＇ habitat remained to be done.     

Regional and local patterns of soil nutrients at Rocky Mountain treelines

The soils across treeline should vary because of direct effects of biological differences of coniferous subalpine forest and the herbaceous alpine tundra in Colorado. In addition, the change in life form may indirectly affect soils because of interactions of the vegetation and wind-driven deposition processes. This is particularly important as nitrogen (N) saturation is a growing concern in high elevation ecosystems, and treeline is predicted to be a deposition hotspot. The vegetation transition at treeline provides an opportunity to test the effects of vegetation, topography, and external inputs on soils at three spatial scales. First, a regional evaluation of soils at eleven abrupt treeline sites was made comparing sites on east and west aspects both east and west of the Continental Divide (CD). Second, soils were compared in the adjacent forest and tundra. Finally, edge effects were assessed along transects spanning treeline. At the regional scale, total soil N was higher east of the CD and on east aspects while exchangeable calcium was higher on east aspects and at sites west of the CD. Higher lead (Pb) concentration in the forest organic horizon was associated with lower ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios, an indication of greater anthropogenic Pb inputs. However, the spatial pattern in soil Pb suggests a different source area or transport mechanism than N. Within individual sites, the soils differed between the forest and tundra in almost every measured variable, but edge effects were minimal on both sides of these abrupt treelines. While a direct link between the observed soil patterns to deposition of external inputs cannot be made based on the study design, the observed soil patterns suggest that the impacts of acid deposition are amplified or attenuated by processes such as dust deposition.     

贺兰山东坡直翅目昆虫群落的边缘效应(英文)

[目的]探讨边缘效应对贺兰山东坡直翅目昆虫群落的影响。[方法]样带法采集取样,采捕过程中针对采捕的不同种类及生境中的具体情况,采用网捕法、徒手捕捉、诱捕法等。采集时将昆虫标本毒死后带回实验室,制作针插标本,根据相关文献专著鉴定并记录直翅目昆虫的种类和数量。并通过物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、均匀性指数、优势度指数、群落相似性指标和多度值对调查数据进行了分析。[结果]斑翅蝗科、斑腿蝗科和癞蝗科个体数量分别占总数的42.65%、29.15%和12.76%,构成研究区域直翅目昆虫的优势类群。直翅目昆虫数量沿疏林草地、边缘和荒漠草地依次增加,边缘多样性高于疏林草地和荒漠草地内部,且边缘与疏林草地差异显著;无论是疏林草地还是荒漠草地,直翅目昆虫群落多样性都是随着距边缘距离的增加而降低。在疏林草地-荒漠草地过渡带出现了栖息地广布种、利用边缘的栖息地广布种、利用边缘的栖息地特异种和逃避边缘的栖息地特异种4种边缘反应类型。[结论]该研究可为直翅目昆虫生物多样性的保护和开发利用及保护生物学的发展提供数据和理论基础。     

Response of snails and slugs to fragmentation of lowland forests in NW Germany

Habitat fragmentation is a major cause for species loss, but its effect on invertebrates with low active dispersal power, like terrestrial gastropods, has rarely been studied. Such species can not cross a hostile habitat matrix, for which the predictions of island theory, such as positive relations between species richness and patch size, should apply. In order to test this prediction, we studied gastropod species diversity by assessing gastropod assemblage characteristics from 35 sites in 19 fragments of deciduous old-growth forests in the Lower Rhine Embayment, Germany. Assemblages differed between larger (≥700 ha) and smaller forests (<400 ha), those of large forests held a higher percentage of forest species. Although α-diversity was similar between the two forest size classes, small forests often comprised matrix species, resulting in a higher β-diversity. Edge effects on the species richness of matrix species were noticeable up to 250 m into the forest. Hierarchical partitioning revealed that distance to disturbances (external edge, internal edges like roads) explained most assemblage variables, whereas forest size and woodland cover within a 1 km radius from the sites explained only a few assemblage variables. Densities of two forest-associated species, Discus rotundatus and Arion fuscus, decreased with forest size. Yet, forest size was positively correlated with richness of typical forest species and densities of Limax cinereoniger. The latter species seems to need forests of >1,000 ha, i.e., well above the size of most fragments. In conclusion, the prediction is valid only for forest species. The response to fragmentation is species specific and seems to depend on habitat specialization and macroclimatic conditions. Jean-Pierre Maelfait: Deceased.     

Does afforestation increase bird nest predation risk in surrounding farmland?

Afforestation of agricultural land is increasingly used to deliver environmental benefits, but their effects on biodiversity remain poorly understood. This paper tests the hypothesis that afforestation changes predation processes in surrounding farmland, examining how the characteristics and landscape context of forest plantations affect predator (birds and mammalian carnivores) and key prey (rabbits and hares) abundances, and bird nest predation rates in Iberian cereal-steppes. Lagomorphs and predators were surveyed in fallow fields around 50 forest plantations, where predation rates were estimated using artificial nests set at 0, 100, 200 and 300 m from the forest edge. Recent plantations structurally similar to sparse (oak) or dense (pine) shrublands were associated with the highest hare and rabbit abundances, respectively, whereas both species avoided landscapes with high eucalyptus cover. In contrast, mature eucalyptus plantations showed strong positive effects on typical nest predators such as corvids and carnivores. Open farmland fragmentation favoured the abundance of lagomorphs and carnivores. Despite these effects and the high predation rate on artificial nests (49%), there was neither evidence for increased predation near plantation edges nor higher predation in fields with more lagomorphs and predators. However, predation tended to increase with cover by young oak plantations and overall forest plantation cover, to decrease with eucalyptus cover at both the local and landscape scales, and to peak in landscapes with intermediate edge densities. These results suggest that afforestation may have strong effects on bird nest predation rates by changing landscape composition and configuration, rather than by inducing local increases in predator and prey populations. Nevertheless, increased abundances of generalist predators associated with forest plantations may still be considered of conservation concern, thus supporting the recommendation for strongly restricting afforestation in areas important for open grassland birds. Where this is unavoidable, monitoring should be undertaken to provide early signals for bird population declines associated with predator increases, eventually triggering conservation action such as predator exclusion or removal.     

基于比较的大米样本图像分割

[目的]提高大米加工精度时图像识别的效果。[方法]采用SUSAN算子,讨论其参数的选取原理,并与传统边缘检测算法作对比。[结果]SUSAN边缘检测算法对含噪大米样本图像的边缘检测效果优于传统的边缘检测算法。[结论]SUSAN边缘检测算法非常适于含噪或低对比度大米样本图像的边缘检测