Does matrix resistance influence Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L. 1758) distribution in an urban landscape?

In determining isolation effects in fragmented populations, the landscape matrix is not often considered. Usually simple distance measures are used to quantify degree of isolation. We tested the effect of the matrix on the presence of red squirrels in 354 wooded patches in the Brussels Region, by comparing several isolation measures. These were 1) distance to the nearest source patch, 2) the Hanski-measure (a combination of distance to and size of all possible sources), 3) effective distances calculated from different least cost models using the ArcView grid extension ‘Cost Distance’ (a combination of distance and resistance of the landscape, with different resistances for different landscape types) and 4) some combinations of the Hanski-measure and the effective distances. Size and quality of the target patches were always included in the tests of the predictive power of different isolation measures on squirrel presence/absence. All variables examined (patch size, quality and isolation) significantly influenced squirrel presence. Models using the effective distances gave the best results. Models including the Hanski-measure improved significantly when Euclidean distance was replaced by effective distance, showing that parameterisation of matrix resistance added significant additional explanatory power when modelling squirrel presence. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A leakiness index for assessing landscape function using remote sensing

The cover, number, size, shape, spatial arrangement and orientation of vegetation patches are attributes that have been used to indicate how well landscapes function to retain, not ‘leak’, vital system resources such as rainwater and soil. We derived and tested a directional leakiness index (DLI) for this resource retention function. We used simulated landscape maps where resource flows over map surfaces were directional and where landscape patch attributes were known. Although DLI was most strongly related to patch cover, it also logically related to patch number, size, shape, arrangement and orientation. If the direction of resource flow is multi-directional, a variant of DLI, the multi-directional leakiness index (MDLI) can be used. The utility of DLI and MDLI was demonstrated by applying these indices to three Australian savanna landscapes differing in their remotely sensed vegetation patch attributes. These leakiness indices clearly positioned these three landscapes along a function-dysfunction continuum, where dysfunctional landscapes are leaky (poorly retain resources). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ecotonal changes and altered tree spatial patterns in lower mixed-conifer forests, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, U.S.A.

This research analyzes patch development and determines tree spatial patterns along the lower mixed-conifer ecotone on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (U.S.A.). Patterns of patch development were interpreted from spatial analyses, based on tree age and size, and past records of disturbance and climate. Five plots in the ecotone between mixed conifer forests and monospecific stands of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) were studied for patterns of patch development. The methods used include: (1) size-structure analyses, to compare species patch development; (2) dendrochronological dating of tree establishment; (3) tree ring master chronology, to determine periods of suppressed growth, compared to a Palmer Drought Severity Index; and (4) spatial analyses by species composition, size and age, with univariate and bivariate analyses of spatial association and spatial autocorrelation. We found an increased density of shade-tolerant and fire-intolerant species namely clusters of pole-sized white fir, and fewer large ponderosa pine. This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Changes of potassium currents in rabbit ventricle with healed myocardial infarction

AIM: To elucidate the mechanism of arrhythmia in healed myocardial infarction (HMI), and to investigate the changes of action potential duration (APD),transient outward potassium current (I_to), delayed rectifier potassium current (I_K) and inward rectifier potassium current (I_K1) of left ventricular myocytes in noninfarcted zone of HMI. METHODS: 12 rabbits were randomly assigned in two groups: HMI group (thoracotomy and ligation of the circumflex coronary); sham-operated group (thoracotomy but no conorary ligation). 3 months after operation, whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record APD, I_to, I_K and I_K1 of ventricular myocytes in non-infarcted zone. RESULTS: Membrane capacitance was larger in HMI group than that in sham-operated group. Action potential duration was lengthened significantly in HMI group and early after depolarization (EAD) appeared in HMI group. The densities of I_to, I_K,tail and I_K1 were reduced significantly in HMI group (P<0.01), from (6.72±0.42) pA/pF, (1.54±0.13) pA/pF and (25.6±2.6) pA/pF in Sham-operated group to (4.03±0.33) pA/pF, (1.14±0.11) pA/pF and (17.6±2.3) pA/pF, respectively. CONCLUSION: The reduced densities of I_to, I_K,tail and I_K1 in ventricular myocytes of non-infarcted zone in HMI are responsible for the prolongation of APD and the presentation of EAD, which play important roles in the malignant arrhythmia of HMI.     

Roles of the Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 potassium channels in hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction

AIM: To determine the role of Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 in the hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: normoxic group and hypoxic group. The single smooth muscle cell was obtained from pulmonary artery of Wistar rats with acute enzymatic digestion method. The conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record the resting membrane potential (Em) and the potassium currents of voltage-gated potassium channel (IKv) in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC). Intracellular application of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies (1∶125) was conducted through the whole-cell patch clamp system. RESULTS: ① Em of PASMC was depolarized after 24 h hypoxia compared with that of control cells . IKv of PASMC was decreased after 24 h hypoxia, . ② The mixture of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies depolarized Em and inhibited IKv in PASMC from normoxic rat, whereas the mixture of Kir2.1/Kir2.3/Kir4.1 antibodies had no effects on them. ③ The mixture of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies and the mixture of Kir2.1/Kir2.3/Kir4.1 antibodies had no effects on IKv and Em from rats hypoxic for 24 h. CONCLUSION: Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 might be oxygen sensitive potassium channels which mediated HPV.     

基于土壤水分异质性的小麦滴灌试验小区布设方法

科学合理地确定适宜的试验小区规格,对于经济、高效地获取具有较高精度和代表性的试验数据具有重要现实意义.该研究以确定滴灌条件下适宜的试验小区规格为目标,采用幂函数建立土壤含水率方差与不同小区面积之间的相关关系,计算土壤水分异质性指数以表征试验小区内土壤含水率的相关程度;利用土壤含水率异质性指数,采用Hatheway法确定小麦滴灌试验小区适宜的面积和重复数;根据不同方向上土壤含水率异质性指数研究形状对试验结果的影响,确定试验小区适宜的长宽比.结果表明:增大试验小区面积可以提高试验数据的准确性,但不同面积区间数据离散程度的降低幅度变化较大:面积由1 m2增大到50~100 m2,灌水定额30 mm处理田块间土壤含水率方差降低77.4%~82.6%,灌水定额45 mm处理降低78.6%~83.7%,面积从100 m2增加到500 m2,方差降低幅度显著变小,灌水定额30 mm处理降低17.4%,灌水定额45 mm处理降低16.3%;增加试验重复数可以增加试验对处理间土壤含水率差异的区分能力,试验小区面积在50~100 m2时,重复数由2增加到3能检测出的处理间土壤含水率差异由23.2%~26.5%提高到13.1%~15.0%,表明增加试验重复数可以检测出试验处理间更小的土壤含水率差异,提高试验精度.通过研究滴灌试验小区土壤水分异质性指数与滴灌试验小区规格之间的关系,综合考虑试验精度、代表性和田间实际操作得出以下结论:若试验为高、低水2处理时,试验布设宜为3重复,每重复小区面积为50 m2,可在80%的概率下检测出15%的真实差异;若试验为高、中、低3处理时,试验布设宜为3重复,每重复小区面积为100 m2,可在80%的概率下检测出12%的真实差异.滴灌试验小区适宜的形状为沿滴灌带方向布设的长方形,长宽比在1:1到5:1之间可使试验小区所得数据更具代表性.     

典型断面渠道临界水深计算

系统总结了明渠特征水深研究领域的计算方法,评价了各方法的特点;为了优选出典型断面渠道临界水深简捷、通用、精度高、适用范围广的显式计算公式,通过定义包含典型断面几何要素及流量的量纲为一的参数,将目前成果中临界水深的显式计算公式用定义量纲为一的参数进行统一表达,并对其进行简捷性、精度及适用范围的综合评价比较,优选出梯形、圆形、弧底梯形、普通城门洞形、马蹄形等5种典型断面渠道临界水深的显式计算公式;对标准城门洞形断面的临界水深应用最优一致逼近原理,提出以幂函数形式分段表达的新显式计算公式．误差分析表明,在工程常用范围内,由推荐的显式公式所计算的6种典型断面的临界水深,其最大相对误差均小于1％,满足工程设计对精度的要求．该研究可为典型断面排灌渠道的设计及水力计算提供参考．     

Habitat configuration affects colonisation of epifauna in a marine algal bed

Habitat fragmentation is a threat to the preservation of both terrestrial and marine biodiversity. While terrestrial systems have been well studied, relatively few studies have considered how changes to the spatial arrangement of habitats affect fauna in marine systems. In this study, sampling and manipulative experiments examined the effects of varying the size and isolation of habitat patches on the abundance of mobile invertebrates inhabiting an algal dominated rocky reef. Variation in the size of naturally occurring patches of the brown alga Sargassum linearifolium did not impact upon the abundance of any taxonomic groups, with the exception of polychaete worms, which were most abundant in small patches. When habitat patch size and isolation were manipulated, the abundance of colonising isopods increased with increasing isolation from contiguous habitat. Amphipods and ostracods colonised small patches to greater numbers than large patches. Sampling of the matrix was undertaken to examine the rarely tested assumption that the area between habitat patches is not a potential source of colonists to the habitat in question. The matrix was found to support a strikingly different community of invertebrates than did the algal habitats and thus was unlikely to be a source of colonists to isolated algal patches. The increased abundance on small and isolated patches for some taxa are inconsistent with traditional predictions of the effects of reduced habitat patch sizes and indicate that patchy landscapes should not necessarily be considered poor habitats. The variation in responses among taxonomic groups suggests that a range of patch sizes may be necessary to maintain species diversity.     

旱坡地枣树密植园的丰产树形

栽植密度不同 ,所用树形截然不同。旱坡地枣园密植栽培后 ,株间空间有限 ,树形的培养必须遵循 :降低极性 ,减小树冠 ;骨干枝量少 ,结果部位多 ;成形性 ,早结果 ,早丰产。研究表明 ,适宜于旱坡地密植枣园的树形主要有改良开心形和改良多主枝自然圆头形。改良开心形 ,成形快 ,干性弱 ,开心后极性生长大大减低 ;适当调整主枝和大型结果枝组的数量 ,可适用于各种密度的密植园。改良多主枝自然圆头形树形 ,主枝数量少 ,干性不强 ;成形后 ,中心枝落头开心 ,极性生长减弱 ,能有效地控制树冠增高生长。在建造树体骨架消耗和控制树冠极性生长的功能方面与改良开心形差不多。但由于改良多主枝自然圆头形主枝数量相对较多 ,树冠不易控制 ,只适用于较低密度的密植园 ,如 6 .0m× 2 .0m和 6 .0m× 3.0m园     

Determinants of bird community composition on patches in the suburbs of Paris, France

The ecological processes responsible for the spatial assemblages of breeding bird communities in urban landscapes are more and more investigated. Indeed, understanding these processes is imperative to plan relevant management policies. We investigated breeding bird communities on 67 patches in the suburbs of Paris, France. We examined the role of patch characteristics and geographic distance between patches in determining similarity between bird assemblages. To do this, we proposed a new SØrensen similarity index based on estimators of change in community composition taking into account the detection probability of species. The patch occupancy by sedentary and migratory species was also estimated to compare their sensitivity to urbanization. Patches close to each other supported more similar bird assemblages, suggesting an effect of the spatial distribution of patches on bird dispersal and a posteriori on local community composition. Accounting for spatial location of patches, bird assemblage similarity was related to the similarity of the surrounding level of urbanization but not to the similarity of patch size or to the similarity of patch vegetation. The mean estimated occupancy rate of sedentary species was higher than that of migratory species in the whole study area. While sedentary species occupied patches surrounded by both moderate and high levels of urbanization, migratory ones primarily occupied patches surrounded by moderate levels of urbanization. Human choices in degrees, styles, and extent of urbanization, including designation and design of patches within an urban matrix, affect the composition of local bird communities.