三种碳源对乌梁素海好氧不产氧光合细菌群落结构的影响

好氧不产氧光合细菌(AAPB)营光合异养,在水体碳循环中起着重要作用.但是,碳源对AAPB群落结构的影响尚不明确.本文基于16S rDNA和光合反应中心合成中的关键基因——pufM基因,运用变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)技术,比较分析了在微生物分离培养中常用的3种碳源(葡萄糖、丙酮酸钠、酵母提取物)对乌梁素海水体总细菌及AAPB群落结构的影响.结果表明,不同碳源诱导7~21 d后,水体总细菌群落丰富度及多样性指数均有不同程度的提升,AAPB群落则呈现先升后降的趋势.3种碳源中,丙酮酸钠添加后对总细菌及AAPB菌群的丰富度和多样性的提升效果最好.测序及系统发育结果表明,乌梁素海水体经诱导后新检测到了一些原环境中未发现的菌属,一些具有特殊碳代谢能力的菌属丰度得到了提升.本研究为充分认识和理解AAPB的生态学作用和意义,及其富集、分离和培养提供了基础依据.     

贵州草海喀斯特高原湖泊湿地甲烷氧化菌群落特征及功能探析

草海是由喀斯特盆地积水发育而形成的一个完整的、典型的高原湖泊湿地生态系统,同时也是中国面积最大的岩溶构造湖.甲烷氧化菌作为一类能够将甲烷氧化为CO₂和水的独特微生物,其活动与生态系统中能量流动和元素循环的关键步骤密不可分.为了解贵州草海喀斯特高原湖泊湿地中甲烷氧化菌的群落结构特征及功能,利用宏基因组技术对浅水沼泽、莎草湿地、深水沉积物进行研究.结果表明,草海湿地中主要的好氧甲烷氧化菌为Methylobacter和Methylomonas,主要的厌氧甲烷氧化菌为Candidatus_Methylomirabilis_oxyfera,属于NC10门的反硝化型厌氧甲烷氧化菌.所研究的4种代谢功能基因种类多样性表现为碳代谢＞氮代谢＞硫代谢＞甲烷代谢;基于KEGG数据库共注释到6大类功能和18条与碳、甲烷、氮、硫相关的完整代谢路径.PCoA分析表明浅水沼泽和莎草湿地中甲烷氧化菌的种类和功能相似,且与深水沉积物存在差异.物种与功能相关性网络分析结果显示Methylacidiphilum_fumariolicum和Methylacidiphilum_kamchatkense与草海湖泊湿地中的各个代谢功能均具有较强的相关性.显著影响草海湿地中大多数甲烷氧化菌的群落结构的环境因素是硝酸盐、电导率、总磷和有机质.     

从微型生物功能类群研究到海洋储碳机制的新认识——方法创新带动科学发现的一个典型案例

海洋微型生物是海洋生物地球化学循环的主要驱动者,也是海洋能量代谢的主要参与者,在海洋生态系统中发挥着举足轻重的作用.好氧不产氧光合异养细菌(AAPB)是海洋中一类重要的功能类群,在海洋中广泛分布,它们可以利用光能补充自身的能量代谢,在海洋碳循环中发挥着重要而特殊的作用.在21世纪初,由于微型生物显微荧光定量方法的弊端,人们对于AAPB分布规律的认识存在着一定的偏差."时间序列红外荧光显微数字化方法"(TIREM)的建立,修正了AAPB定量偏差,揭示了海洋中AAPB分布的真正规律.之后,对AAPB生态分布调控因素的进一步研究表明:相对于光照,溶解有机碳(DOC)对AAPB绝对丰度和相对丰度的影响更重要.此认识推翻了"AAPB通过利用光能就可以赢得与普通异养细菌竞争"这一"想当然"的理论推测.而对AAPB碳源利用特点的研究表明,此功能类群具有重要的碳分馏作用,即AAPB在碳代谢过程中,部分碳源并非简单的沿着传统生物泵方向传递.在此基础上的海洋微型生物与DOC相互作用关系研究,最终导致海洋储碳新机制—微型生物碳泵(MCP)的提出,它解释了海洋中巨大溶解有机碳库存在的原因和机制,实现了海洋储碳机制理论上的新突破.     

热带水库消落区植物群落物种组成与结构特征——以海南松涛水库为例

消落区是河流、湖泊和水库因阶段性或长期性的水位涨落而反复淹没或出露而形成的一种特殊的季节性湿地.消落区植被在维持水陆生态系统的动态平衡、生物多样性、生态安全及生态服务功能等方面发挥着重要作用.通过样方法调查分析了海南松涛水库消落区植物组成、区系特点以及群落分布特征.结果显示：松涛水库消落区共有维管植物40科101属115种,其中被子植物36科97属111种,蕨类植物4科4属4种.植物区系以热带性为主,外来入侵种较多,且既耐水淹又耐干旱植物众多;群落以草本、灌木植物为主,乔木较少且大多以幼苗形式存在.主要群落类型为以铺地黍（Panicum repens）为优势种的复合群落,个别区域零散分布有美洲蟛蜞菊（Wedelia trilobata）、光荚含羞草（Mimosa sepiaria）、猪屎豆（Crotalaria pallida）、马松子（Melochia corchorifolia）、假臭草（Praxelis clematidea）和铺地黍等单优群落.消落区不同海拔区间群落分布存在明显差异,物种多样性从高到低呈显著递减趋势.研究结果可为松涛水库消落区植被恢复工作提供科学指导.     

蓝藻生消对巢湖沉积物phoD碱性磷酸酶基因细菌群落结构的影响

phoD基因编码的碱性磷酸酶驱动沉积物有机磷矿化并释放生物可利用磷,促进了富营养化湖泊蓝藻的生长与暴发,但对富营养化湖泊蓝藻生消周期phoD基因细菌群落动态变化的认识依然有限.本文研究了中国典型富营养化湖泊巢湖蓝藻生消过程沉积物碱性磷酸酶活性（APA）、phoD基因细菌多样性和群落结构的动态变化及其与环境的关系.结果显示：巢湖沉积物APA活性在蓝藻生长与暴发阶段显著升高,且与水温、pH、溶解氧（DO）等环境因子显著相关.蓝藻生消各阶段沉积物phoD基因细菌群落的优势菌属均由Pseudonocardia和Friedmanniella构成;与蓝藻潜伏期和衰亡期相比,生长初期与暴发期大多数样点沉积物Pseudonocardia的丰度显著降低而Friedmanniella显著升高.携带phoD基因的菌属丰度呈显著的时空变化,其中菌属丰度的空间异质性较高.蓝藻生长初期与暴发期的phoD基因细菌群落的Ace指数与Shannon多样性指数显著大于潜伏期与衰亡期.研究表明,携带phoD基因细菌群落结构的变化主要受APA、DO、叶绿素a、水温、总磷以及无机磷的驱动;春季蓝藻的生长消耗大量上覆水溶解性无机磷,激发了沉积物APA活性并诱发Friedmanniella生长从而缓解水体磷限制.     

太湖悬浮颗粒物细菌碱性磷酸酶编码基因的分布特征

颗粒态有机磷的碱性磷酸酶矿化是水生态系统磷循环的重要环节,对细菌碱性磷酸酶编码基因的解析有利于揭示浅水富营养化湖泊有机磷矿化的微生物驱动机制.本文以太湖不同生态类型湖区悬浮颗粒物为研究对象,运用荧光定量PCR技术,探究太湖水体中悬浮颗粒物细菌碱性磷酸酶phoX和phoD基因的时空分布特征,以及影响两类基因丰度的主要环境因子.结果表明：太湖不同生态类型湖区中phoD基因丰度是phoX基因的6~42倍,且二者均存在显著的时空分布差异.6月,河口区phoX（9.18×10⁴ copies/L）和phoD（1.88×10⁶ copies/L）基因丰度均最高,其次分别为草型区、湖心区和藻型区.与6月相比,9月各湖区phoD基因丰度显著降低,而phoX基因丰度在藻型区和草型区则有所升高.9月,草型区phoX基因丰度最高（5.70×10⁴ copies/L）,河口区最低（1.49×10⁴ copies/L）.水生植物对phoX和phoD基因丰度具有重要贡献.悬浮颗粒物细菌phoX基因丰度可能被低估.溶解氧、总氮和总磷是影响太湖phoX和phoD基因丰度的主要环境因子.     

天津于桥水库夏季浮游生物调查及群落结构变化

为了解于桥水库富营养化状况,于2011年7月对于桥水库水质、浮游生物进行了调查.结果表明,于桥水库综合营养状态指数(TLI(∑))为45.8,属于中营养水平.浮游植物共计8门59种,平均丰度为312.40×10⁴cells/L,平均生物量为5.30 mg/L,以蓝、绿藻为主,优势种为铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)、水华微囊藻(Microcystis flos-aquae)和单角盘星藻具空变种(Pediastrum simplex var.duodenarium).浮游动物共计16种,平均丰度为53.2 ind./L,平均生物量为11.58 mg/L,以长额象鼻蚤(Bosmina longirostris)和近邻剑水蚤(Cyclops vicinus)为优势种.依据多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数对于桥水库浮游生物进行评价,表明于桥水库处于中~重污染水平,这与采用TLI(∑)的评价结果较为一致.与历史同期调查结果对比得出,于桥水库浮游植物丰度、生物量增加,浮游动物种类减少,而生物量增加,于桥水库由硅-蓝藻型水库过渡为硅-绿藻型水库,最终向蓝-绿藻型水库演变.     

西藏尼洋河水生生物群落时空动态及与环境因子关系:2.着生藻类

本文于2008-2009年按照季节调查了西藏地区尼洋河着生藻类群落的组成、丰度和多样性,并运用多元统计方法定量分析了着生藻类的空间和季节变化特征及其与主要环境因子之间的关系.结果显示,尼洋河着生藻类共计6门30科49属,其中硅藻为优势着生藻类.着生藻类的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数在尼洋河中游最高,在中上游河段和中下游河段呈下降趋势,符合中间高度膨胀(mid-altitude bulge)假说.着生藻类的总丰度、物种丰富度以及Shannon-Wiener多样性指数在尼洋河沿程不存在显著差异,总丰度在各个季节之间不存在显著差异,但物种丰富度在秋季和冬季存在显著差异,夏、秋季着生藻类的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数显著高于冬、春季.主成分分析(PCA)表明,随着海拔的升高,着生藻类的物种丰富度和总丰度呈递减趋势;典范对应分析(CCA)表明,尼洋河部分硅藻与理化因子相关联,如:双壁藻(Diploneis)的丰度与总磷相关联,窗纹藻(Epithemia)的丰度与铵态氮相关联,双菱藻属(Surirella)的丰度与pH值相关联;部分绿藻与理化因子相关联,如:小球藻属(Chlorella)、栅藻属(Scenedesmus)、溪菜属(Prasiola)的丰度与水温相关联,小椿藻(Characium)的丰度与硬度相关联,转板藻(Mougeotia)的丰度与表层溶氧、矿化度相关联,新月藻属(Closterium)的丰度与碱度相关联;分类回归树(CART)模型预测了尼洋河着生藻类时空分布与主要环境因子之间的定量关系,即低海拔水域的着生藻类总丰度较高海拔高,高矿化度水域的着生藻类总丰度较低矿化度的高,不能用影响尼洋河着生藻类种类和数量的环境因子来解释着生藻类的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数.这些关键环境因子对尼洋河水域着生藻类的时空变化有着重要的指示作用,建议加强对着生藻类及这些环境因子的关注,保障尼洋河水域生态环境的可持续发展.     

2002-2017年千岛湖浮游植物群落结构变化及其影响因素

为认识大型水库中浮游植物群落结构的演替特征及其驱动机制,以钱塘江流域新安江水库（下称"千岛湖"）为例,基于2002-2017年16年的水库浮游植物数据,结合同期千岛湖水质与水文气象资料,分析了千岛湖浮游植物结构及优势属的长期变化特征,探讨了影响浮游植物群落结构变化的主要因素.结果表明：2002-2017年千岛湖共鉴定出浮游植物7门93属,主要由硅藻门、绿藻门、蓝藻门及隐藻门种类组成.16年间,浮游植物年均丰度和群落结构经历了4个阶段：2008年前丰度持续低值且蓝藻不是主要类群,2009-2012年丰度较高且蓝藻成为主要类群,及2013-2015丰度降低且蓝藻占比降低,2016-2017年丰度增加且蓝藻再次成为主要类群.浮游植物门类变化的同时伴随着优势属的变化：浮游植物年优势属从2002-2008年的小环藻属（Cyclotella）、隐藻属（Cryptomonas）和蓝隐藻属（Chroomonas）转变为2009-2012年的颤藻属（Oscillatoria）、小球藻属（Chlorella）、小环藻属和蓝隐藻属,2013-2017年又转变为鱼腥藻属（Anabaena）、束丝藻属（Aphanizomenon）、小环藻属、针杆藻属（Synedra）、直链藻属（Melosira）、栅藻属（Scenedesmus）和蓝隐藻属.冗余分析表明,气温、风速、水位、入库流量等气象水文因子和总氮浓度、电导率、氮磷比、透明度等水质因子与浮游植物群落结构变化关系密切.研究结果表明,在千岛湖这种大型贫-中营养水库,浮游植物群落结构不仅受来水营养盐负荷的影响,还在很大程度上受水文、气象条件的影响,给水库藻类水华等生态风险的预测以及水库水质管理带来了挑战.     

水位洪枯变化对菜子湖江湖过渡带鱼类物种和功能多样性的影响

水位的洪枯变化通过江湖连通影响泛滥平原湖泊鱼类的组成和分布,因而江湖过渡带是反映泛滥平原生态系统鱼类交流和多样性变动的关键区域.尽管如此,针对江湖过渡带鱼类群落随水位洪枯变化的研究十分匮乏.本研究以菜子湖江湖过渡带为例,分别在洪水和枯水期选取包括静水和流水生境的样点对鱼类群落进行系统的调查采样,探讨水位洪枯变化对菜子湖江湖过渡带鱼类物种和功能多样性的影响.共采集到鱼类6目12科37属52种,其中,洪水期和枯水期物种数差异显著,分别采集到鱼类50和42种,而静水生境和流水生境物种数差异不明显,分别采集到鱼类47和48种.与洪水期相比,枯水期山溪河流性鱼类的物种数、重量、尾数和优势度百分比分别减少了7.3%、6.3%、14.4%和12.0%;与静水生境相比,流水生境山溪河流性鱼类的物种数、重量、尾数和优势度百分比分别增加了5.3%、14.6%、18.0%和22.3%.SIMPER分析结果显示,麦穗鱼（Pseudorasbora parva）、蛇鮈（Saurogobio dabryi）、（Hemiculter leucisculus）、鲤（Cyprinus carpio）、鲫（Carassius auratus）、短颌鲚（Coilia brachygnathus）、似鳊（Pseudobrama simoni）、翘嘴鲌（Culter ilishaeformis）、达氏鲌（Culter dabryi）、光唇蛇鮈（Saurogobio gymnocheilus）和无须鱊（Acheilognathus gracilis）是引起水位洪枯变化以及不同生境类型鱼类群落结构差异的主要物种.优势度分析结果表明枯水期和静水生境的优势种鱼类相似,重要值较高的优势种鱼类为鲤、鲫、和似鳊;而洪水期和流水生境的优势种鱼类同样相似,重要值较高的优势种鱼类为麦穗鱼、蛇鮈、光唇蛇鮈和短颌鲚.通过双因素方差分析解析了水位洪枯变化和不同生境类型对鱼类物种和功能多样性的影响.发现洪枯水位变化仅对物种多样性指数中的物种数（Richness）产生显著差异,而对功能多样性的3个指数（功能丰富度指数（FRic）、功能离散指数（FDiv）和功能分散指数（FDis））均有显著影响.洪水期鱼类的Richness、FRic、FDiv和FDis指数均显著高于枯水期.同时,静水生境条件下的FRic指数要显著高于流水生境.本研究发现,与传统的物种多样性相比,基于功能性状的功能多样性对水位的洪枯变动更为敏感,河流周期性洪泛是泛滥平原生态系统中鱼类功能补充的重要方式.     

The research of typical microbial functional group reveals a new oceanic carbon sequestration mechanism——A case of innovative method promoting scientific discovery

Marine microbes are major drivers of marine biogeochemical cycles and play critical roles in the ecosystems. Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria(AAPB) are an important bacterial functional group with capability of harvesting light energy and wide distribution, and appear to have a particular role in the ocean's carbon cycling. Yet the global pattern of AAPB distribution was controversial at the beginning of the 21 st century due to the defects of the AAPB enumeration methods. An advanced time-series observation-based infrared epifluorescence microscopy(TIREM) approach was established to amend the existing AAPB quantitative deviation and led to the accurate enumeration of AAPB in marine environments. The abundance of AAPB and AAPB% were higher in coastal and continental shelf waters than in oceanic waters, which does not support the idea that AAPB are specifically adapted to oligotrophic conditions due to photosynthesis in AAPB acting a supplement to their organic carbon respiration. Further investigation revealed that dependence of AAPB on dissolved organic carbon produced by phytoplankton(PDOC) may limit their competition and control AAPB distribution. So, the selection of carbon sources by AAPB indicated that they can effectively fractionate the carbon flow in the sea. Enlightened by these findings, the following studies on the interactions between marine microbes and DOC led to the discovery of a new mechanism of marine carbon sequestration—the Microbial Carbon Pump(MCP). The conceptual framework of MCP addresses the sources and mechanism of the vast DOC reservoir in the ocean and represents a breakthrough in the theory of ocean carbon sequestration.     

Diversity and functions of microscopic fungi: a missing component in pelagic food webs

Fungi are a highly complex group of organisms of the kingdom Eumycota (i.e. the true-fungi) and other fungus-like organisms traditionally studied by mycologists, such as slime molds (Myxomycota) and oomycota (Straminopiles or Heterokonts). They constitute a significant proportion of the as yet undiscovered biota that is crucial in ecological processes and human well-being, through at least three main trophic modes: saprophytism, parasitism, or symbiosis. In addition to direct benefit (sources of antibiotics) or adverse effects (agents of disease), fungi can impact many environmental processes, particularly those associated with the decomposition of organic matter. They are present in almost all regions and climates, even under extreme conditions. However, studies have focussed mostly on economically interesting species, and knowledge of their diversity and functions is mainly restricted to soil, rhizosphere, mangrove, and lotic ecosystems. In this study, we review the diversity and potential functions of microscopic fungi in aquatic ecosystems, with focus on the pelagic environments where they often are regarded as allochthonous material, of low ecological significance for food-web processes. Recent environmental 18S rDNA surveys of microbial eukaryotes have (1) unveiled a large reservoir of unexpected fungal diversity in pelagic systems, (2) emphasized their ecological potentials for ecosystem functioning, and (3) opened new perspectives in the context of food-web dynamics. In spite of persisting methodological difficulties, we conclude that a better documentation of the diversity and quantitative and functional importance of fungi will improve our understanding of pelagic processes and biogeochemical cycling.     

有壳变形虫群落组成及与环境因子的关系——以山西滹沱河湿地为例

滹沱河湿地是山西省重要的湿地资源,对生物多样性的保护有至关重要的作用.有壳变形虫是一类生活在淡水生态系统中的原生动物,对环境变化响应敏感,是良好的环境生物指示剂.本研究主要对山西滹沱河流域6个湿地52个不同生境的沉积样品进行有壳变形虫物种组成及多样性分析,通过对有壳变形虫和环境因子数据进行排序分析探讨影响有壳变形虫群落分布的关键环境因子.结果显示:滹沱河湿地共记录有壳变形虫20种,其中斜口三足虫(Trinema enchelys)、顶足法帽虫(Phryganella acropodia)和线条三足虫(Trinema lineare)为优势种,相对丰度分别为23.4%、17.38%、13.48%.沉积物粒度和有机质含量对有壳变形虫的物种组成及多样性有显著影响,砂粒含量越低、有机质含量越高,有壳变形虫的丰富度和多样性就越高.CCA排序结果表明硝态氮和COD是影响有壳变形虫种类组成和分布的关键环境因子,解释量分别为19.6%和17.3%,而pH的解释量最小,为8.6%.本研究结果为山西湿地有壳变形虫的现代生态学研究提供借鉴,为湿地多样性保护、管理和修复提供理论支撑.     

溶解性有机质与水生生物的直接相互作用研究进展

溶解性有机质广泛存在于天然水体中,具有重要的生态与环境意义.然而在环境科学领域内,天然水体中的溶解性有机质长期以来仅仅被作为惰性的吸附剂对待,其自身的与生物的直接作用却一直被忽视.近年来,越来越多的研究证据表明溶解性有机质自身即具有生物效应.它能在生物表面吸附.并影响细胞膜的电化学性质与膜渗透性,能被生物吸收,进而诱导...     

Impact of stress and disturbance factors on the phytoplankton communities in Northeastern Brazil reservoir

The ecology of phytoplankton reservoir communities plays a pivotal role in their management and in the development of inland fisheries in the water scarce semi-arid regions of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The hydrological conditions characterizing these reservoirs include infrequent rainfall and high evaporative loses. The phytoplankton assemblages in tropical climate are structured primarily on dry and wet cycles, not the annual temperature and light regime. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the ecological aspects of phytoplankton communities from three reservoirs during the period of July 2003–June 2004, which include atypical summer rainfall and reservoir overflow. The environmental data broadly divided into two categories, stress factors and disturbance factors. The stress factors deals with the impact of high particulate organic matter and low dissolved oxygen concentrations and disturbance factors, linked to water level fluctuation through flushing and reservoir drawdown, and these events are associated with the phytoplankton assemblages. Results indicated that the three distinct hydroperiods determined the structure of phytoplankton and chlorophyll levels and limited the presence and relative abundance of cyanobacterial species. Phytoplankton succession accompanied changes in clear and turbid water phase represented by the alternate dominance between diatoms and chlorophytes. Inundation and complete filling of reservoir stimulated “s” and “r” strategists species (<20 um) of unicellular and some colonial members of chlorophytes and cryptomonads in highly turbid water environment, and “c” strategist species in rest of the wet period following disturbance gradients. Statistical analysis elicited a significant relationship between particulate organic matter and relative abundance of smaller chlorophytes, which was deemed as stress factor. The flushing and reservoir drawdown indicate disturbance gradient and as a consequence high diversity. Furthermore, a substantial reduction in chlorophyll levels was registered in turbid water phase is related to the reduction of light penetration and re-suspension of sediments. Considering these results, it can be suggested that the well-managed reservoir drawdown can possibly maintain an environment free of eutrophication and cyanobacterial dominance.     

Patterns of shrub species richness and abundance in relation to environmental factors on the Alxa Plateau: Prerequisites for conserving shrub diversity in extreme arid desert regions

Shrub species are considered the dominant plants in arid desert ecosystems, unlike in semiarid steppe zones or in grassland ecosystems. On the Alxa Plateau, northern China, sparse vegetation with cover ranging from 15% to 30% is characterized mainly by multifarious shrubs because herbaceous species are strongly restricted by the extreme drought climate, wind erosion, overgrazing and sand burial. Patterns in shrub species richness and species abundance in relation to environmental conditions were examined by DCA (detrended correspondence analysis) and interpreted by a biplot. The relationships between species diversity and environmental factors were examined using regression analyses. Our results show that the distributions of the shrub species in response to environmental conditions can be grouped into four ecological types, corresponding with the biological traits of the shrubs and their responses to the gradients of soil texture and soil water content. Patterns in species richness and species abundance were mainly determined by the deeper soil water content, instead of the soil texture as hypothesized by numerous studies in semiarid grasslands. With exception of the deeper soil water content, soil organic matter and total N content were positively correlated with species abundance, while pH was negatively correlated with it. These findings imply that it is vital for current shrub diversity conservation to reduce agricultural water use in the middle reaches of the Heihe River, which supplies water for the lower reaches in the western parts of the plateau, and to reduce the amount of groundwater exploitation and urban and oasis water use, to increase the water supply from Helan Mountain to the eastern desert of the Alxa Plateau. Supported by National Key Technology R & D Program (Grant Nos. 2007BAD46B03, 2006BAD26B0201) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Gant No. 40825001)     

Stream macroinvertebrate communities change with grassland afforestation in central Argentina

Lotic ecosystems are highly affected by land use changes such as afforestation of natural areas for management or commercial purposes. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of pine plantations on benthic invertebrate communities in mountain grassland streams. Additionally, we assessed if the hydrological period modifies the effect of afforestation on stream invertebrates. Three headwater streams draining grasslands (reference streams) and three draining plantations of Pinus elliottii were selected in a mountain watershed of Córdoba province (Argentina). Hydrologic and physicochemical variables were registered and benthic invertebrate samples were collected in each stream at two different hydrological periods. Total invertebrate abundance, richness and diversity were reduced in afforested streams as well as the number of indicator taxa. In addition, invertebrate functional structure (i.e. taxonomic richness and total and relative abundance of functional feeding groups, FFG) showed differences between streams with different riparian vegetation and between hydrological periods. Total abundance of all FFGs was lower in afforested streams and scrapers’ relative abundance was higher in grassland streams at the low water period. In addition, in most FFGs richness was diminished in afforested streams. Changes in light intensity, hydrology and coarse organic matter inputs produced by afforestation alter fluvial habitats and consequently the composition and trophic structure of invertebrate communities in grassland streams of Córdoba mountains.     

Effective methods for assessing ecological quality in intertidal soft-sediment habitats

Impacts of anthropogenic pollution on marine ecosystems are being addressed by legislation to protect and restore coastal and transitional waters. A range of biological measures have been investigated for their ability to indicate anthropogenic disturbance in subtidal soft-sediment habitats, but little work to date has focussed in intertidal habitats. This study investigated the sensitivity of communities, individual taxa, diversity indices and biotic indices to nutrient and organic enrichment in intertidal soft-sediment habitats. Variation in macrofaunal communities was more strongly associated with anthropogenic stressors than with natural environmental variation. Two multimetric indices, M-AMBI and IQI, were more closely associated with nutrient and organic pollution than the AMBI and ITI indices. Intertidal monitoring based on existing monitoring tools offers a cost effective alternative to subtidal monitoring and has potential to form the basis for an ecosystem level approach.     

The use of phytoplankton patterns of diversity for algal bloom management

Many biotic and abiotic processes contribute to variability in phytoplankton diversity in aquatic ecosystems. Depending on their intensity and on their frequency, these may drive non-equilibrium dynamics and enhance the species diversity. Different studies propose that biodiversity buffers ecosystem functioning against environmental fluctuations leading to more predictable aggregate community or ecosystem properties. Salto Grande reservoir is polymictic and eutrophic with recurrent summer cyanobacterial blooms. The aim of this study was to determine the key variable(s) related with phytoplankton diversity in order to predict the possible occurrence of an algal bloom at the ecosystem. A preliminary analysis of the data matrix suggested non-linear relationships between diversity and the selected variables: phytoplankton abundance and the vertical attenuation coefficient (Kd). The best function fitting of the scatter plot of phytoplankton diversity versus phytoplankton abundance was a rational function. The inflection point of phytoplankton diversity estimated by the second derivate of this function was 2.7 bit cell⁻¹ which corresponded to an abundance of 3000 cells ml⁻¹. The relationship of phytoplankton diversity and vertical attenuation coefficient values also show a humped distribution pattern (Gauss function). The inflection point of this function corresponded to a diversity value of 1.9 bit cell⁻¹ and 2.5 m⁻¹ for Kd. These inflection points were, respectively, related with the resource competition among the present species and the light limitation conditions. The showed patterns of diversity and the estimated threshold values could be integrated to construct a predictive model for the reservoir based on phytoplankton diversity and the probable ambient conditions of the reservoir.