Threats to at-risk salmonids of the Canadian Rocky Mountain region

Trout and charr, members of the salmonid family, have high conservation value but are also susceptible to anthropogenic threats in part due to the specificity of their habitat requirements. Understanding historical and future threats facing these species is necessary to promote their recovery. Of freshwater trout and charr in the Canadian Rocky Mountain region, westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi), bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus; a charr species) and Athabasca rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are of conservation concern. And indeed, range contractions and declining populations are evident throughout much of their ranges. Range contraction was most evident in the southern Alberta designatable unit (DU) of westslope cutthroat trout. Diminished populations were also evident in the downstream watersheds of the Alberta bull trout range, and throughout the Athabasca rainbow trout range. We assessed historical and future threats to evaluate the relative importance of individual threats to each DU and compare their impact among species. Individual threats fall into the broad categories of angling, non-native species and genes, habitat loss and alteration, and climate change. Severity of each threat varies by DU and reflects the interaction between species’ biology and the location of the DU. Severity of threats facing each DU has changed over time, reflecting extirpation of native populations, changes in management and industry best practices, expansion of non-native species and progressing climate change. The overall threat impact for each DU indicates a high probability of substantial and continuing declines and calls for immediate action.     

Determination of critical nitrogen dilution curve based on leaf area index for winter wheat in the Guanzhong Plain,Northwest China

Excessive use of nitrogen(N) fertilizers in agricultural systems increases the cost of production and risk of environmental pollution. Therefore, determination of optimum N requirements for plant growth is necessary. Previous studies mostly established critical N dilution curves based on aboveground dry matter(DM) or leaf dry matter(LDM) and stem dry matter(SDM), to diagnose the N nutrition status of the whole plant. As these methods are time consuming, we investigated the more rapidly determined leaf area index(LAI) method to establish the critical nitrogen(N_c) dilution curve, and the curve was used to diagnose plant N status for winter wheat in Guanzhong Plain in Northwest China. Field experiments were conducted using four N fertilization levels(0, 105, 210 and 315 kg ha-1) applied to six wheat cultivars in the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 growing seasons. LAI, DM, plant N concentration(PNC) and grain yield were determined. Data points from four cultivars were used for establishing the N_c curve and data points from the remaining two cultivars were used for validating the curve. The N_c dilution curve was validated for N-limiting and non-N-limiting growth conditions and there was good agreement between estimated and observed values. The N nutrition index(NNI) ranged from 0.41 to 1.25 and the accumulated plant N deficit(N_(and)) ranged from 60.38 to –17.92 kg ha~(-1) during the growing season. The relative grain yield was significantly affected by NNI and was adequately described with a parabolic function. The N_c curve based on LAI can be adopted as an alternative and more rapid approach to diagnose plant N status to support N fertilization decisions during the vegetative growth of winter wheat in Guanzhong Plain in Northwest China.     

黑龙江省国有林区脆弱异质性家庭对停伐政策的态度及影响因素研究

基于2016年黑龙江省重点国有林区348户家庭的微观调查数据,实证分析黑龙江省国有林区脆弱异质性家庭对停伐政策的态度及影响因素。采用因子分析与综合评价法将348户职工家庭分为脆弱性家庭和非脆弱性家庭,描述性分析2组样本家庭对停伐政策的态度及认知情况,利用多元有序logit模型分析脆弱性与非脆弱性家庭对停伐政策态度的影响因素。结果表明:非脆弱性家庭对停伐政策的了解程度及执行情况的评价均高于脆弱性家庭,脆弱性家庭相对非脆弱性家庭对停伐政策的认可度较高,但是应对风险冲击的能力相对较低。脆弱性家庭和非脆弱性家庭对停伐政策的态度受户主特征、家庭特征以及政策认知特征变量的显著影响,但脆弱性家庭变量参数估计绝对值相对更大,因而停伐政策对脆弱性家庭有着更为敏感和强烈的冲击。     

氮吸附法分析生物质焦孔隙结构

采用氮吸附法对4种生物质焦(稻壳、树叶、玉米秆、棉花秆)的孔隙结构进行测量,结果表明,不同种类焦样的比表面积和孔径分布有明显差别,树叶的比表面积最大,为242.21 m2·g-1,玉米秆的比表面积最小,为0.81 m2·g-1.850℃时,稻壳、树叶、玉米秆焦样的孔径分布曲线在微孔和中孔范围各有一个分布峰,而棉花秆焦样的孔径分布曲线只在中孔范围内出现一个分布峰.热解温度是影响孔隙结构的一个重要因素,在高温条件下,同步热解得到的焦样的比表面积较大,微孔较多.在本研究中,600℃、850℃的稻壳焦样和850℃的树叶焦样具有较大的比表面积,比较适合做吸附剂.     

Acclimation abilities of three tropical rainforest seedlings to an increase in light intensity

Current practices in many nurseries involve the germination of tropical rainforest seedlings in shaded conditions and transferral, at a later date, to environments with greater light intensities. Determination of the ability of these seedlings to acclimate to increased light intensities will allow seedling stock to be processed with maximum efficiency within the nursery. The acclimation abilities of three species, Agyrodendron actinophyllum, Cardwellia sublimis, and Flindersia brayleyana, commonly found in north Queensland's rainforests were investigated in this study. These particular species are highly valued for their cabinet timber qualities and are being reared in nurseries for use in reforestation trials and programs in north Queensland. Seedlings were initially raised in greenhouse conditions under two layers of shade cloth (16% of full sunlight) and then transferred into full sunlight at three different ages (3 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks). Upon transfer, organ ratios and the direction of dry matter distribution was determined for each species and age group. Approximately 3 months after the seedlings were transferred, the acclimation ability of each species and age group was then determined. Dry matter distribution was found to change with age, irrespective of light environment. Individuals within a species with larger root systems and thicker or more dense leaves had a greater acclimation ability than those with smaller root systems and thinner or less dense leaves. Furthermore, individuals within a species whose dry matter distribution upon transfer was directed towards developing a large root system, and a small photosynthetic area and mass, had a greater acclimation ability than those whose dry matter distribution was directed away from such morphologies. Awareness of these relationships allows a better understanding of seedling response to gap formation in natural forests, and also allows plant nursery operators to make a more informed decision about when to move seedlings to environments with a higher light intensity.     

广东山区开发的理论与实践：—广东山区开发理论与实践研讨会综述

本文述了“广东山区开发理论与实践研讨会”所达成共识的观点：广东山区开发具有重要的战略意义，广东山区开发必须走可持续肆展，农业产业化经营、工业化道路，同时必须搞好基础设施建设，组织好商品流通工作，优化资源配置。     

真核表达载体构建表达ＰＲＶ闽Ａ株gE基因表位抗原编码区片段的重组质粒

根据伪狂犬病病毒闽Ａ株gE基因表位抗原编码区的序列与身份种真核表达载体pPICZaA、pAcGP67A序列与特性分别设计了两对ＰＣＲ引物。通过ＰＣＲ方法扩增到了两端具有不同酶切位点的gE基因表位抗原编码片段。将这２个片段分别克隆到pPICZaA与pAcGP67A载体，转化大肠杆菌ＴＯＰ１０菌档及ＸＬ１－Ｂlue菌株，获得了含伪狂犬病病毒闽Ａ株gE基因表位抗原编码区的重组质粒pICZaA-FS与pAcGP67A-FS。序测定结果显示两个重组质粒中插入片段的大小与方向均正确。     

A test for interaction between brown trout (Salmo trutta) and inanga (Galaxias maculatus) in an artificial stream

Abstract –  The interaction between brown trout ( Salmo trutta ; fork length (FL) range 255–390 mm) and inanga ( Galaxias maculatus ; FL range 55–115 mm) was tested during summer through autumn in an artificial stream consisting of a single run-riffle-pool sequence with a natural food supply. Each experimental trial lasted for 15 days, and consisted of two brown trout and 50 inanga collected fresh from a nearby stream, with each species given prior residence in four replicate tests, totalling eight trials in all. In addition, two control trials (each 10 days), with 50 inanga in each, were run. Brown trout almost exclusively occupied the pool, whereas inanga occupied all habitat types, although in different proportions, when tested with and without brown trout. The proportion of inanga in the pool was appreciably lower in the experimental trials with brown trout than in the control trials with no brown trout; prior residence had no significant effect on inanga habitat use. Mortality of inanga attributable to predation by brown trout ranged from 0 to 40% with a mean of 14.5 ± 4.7%. The results suggest that habitat use and survival of inanga populations in small streams can be adversely affected by brown trout.     

Analysis of Growth and Productivity of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in Relation to FYM, Nitrogen and Source of Fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 1992–93 and 1993–94 at Anand to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen and source of fertilizer on growth and yield of mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson]. The results showed significant variation in leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), dry matter production and seed yield. The direct effect of farmyard manure (FYM) was conspicuous in improving the growth of mustard. FYM application at 10 tonnes ha⁻¹ significantly increased the LAI, CGR and dry matter accumulation per plant at almost all the stages during first year study (1992–93) and in pooled analysis. Similarly, nitrogen application registered maximum LAI, CGR at 75 kg level and RGR and NAR at 50 kg level at almost all the during both years. Sulphur carrying source (Ammonium sulphate plus single super phosphate) increased all stages growth characters. Maximum dry matter accumulation per plant and seed yield were recorded with highest levels of FYM (20 tonnes ha⁻¹), N (75 kg ha⁻¹) and source having S. Seed yield was strongly associated with LAI and dry matter accumulation per plant at all the stages.     

高寒地区不同建植期人工草地群落垂直结构和生产力变化的研究

对高寒地区不同建植期人工草地群落垂直结构和生产力的变化研究结果表明：（1）随着人工草地建植时间的延长,人工草地群落垂穗披碱草高度异质性逐渐减小.（2） 不同建植期（1999、1998、1997年建植）人工草地垂穗披碱草和群落平均地上生物量均主要分布在0 ～20cm冠层中,约占平均地上生物量的61.03%、90.64%、84.55%和67.47%、92.54%、86.08%.（3） 不同建植期 （1999、1998、1997年建植）人工草地群落平均地下生物量均主要分布在0～10cm土层中,约占地下总生物量的85.97%、81.73%和78.47%.（4） 建植的人工草地如果其组分单一,即物种的丰富度很低时,均匀度增加,物种对环境资源的竞争力和利用率提高,导致土壤资源库中某些营养成分缺乏,草地群落初级生产力因此而降低。