Effects of sea ice on breeding numbers and clutch size of a high arctic population of the common eider Somateria mollissima

The breeding performance of high-arctic bird populations shows large inter-annual variation that may be attributed to environmental variability, such as the timing of snow melt and break-up of the landfast sea ice that surrounds breeding colonies on islands and along coasts. In the Kongsfjorden area (79°N) on Svalbard, the number of breeding pairs and the average egg clutch size vary considerably among years. In this study, data on breeding performance are presented from 15 years in the period 1981–2000. The results showed that early break-up of sea ice in Kongsfjorden resulted in larger numbers of nests and larger average clutch sizes than late break-up. Also, individual islands with early break-up of sea ice in a particular year had more nests and larger clutch sizes compared to other islands surrounded by sea ice during a longer period in spring. Thus, the inter-annual variation in the break-up of sea ice in the fjord has considerable implications for the inter-annual variability of recruitment to the population. The results indicate that the effects of global warming on changes in the sea ice melting regime in coastal regions are important for the reproductive output of island-nesting eiders.     

Regional and annual variability in common eider nesting ecology in Labrador

Nesting densities are often used to estimate breeding population size and with other measures of reproductive performance can be useful indicators of population status. These aspects of breeding biology often show considerable spatial and temporal variation. Between 2000 and 2003, we surveyed nesting common eiders ( Somateria mollissima ) on 172 islands in three archipelagos (Nain, Hopedale, Rigolet) on the Labrador coast. Rigolet was the largest archipelago (2834 km²) followed by Nain then Hopedale, and island density varied inversely with archipelago size. Overall means were: nest density 52.0 ± 141.9 (SD) nests/ha; nest initiation 12 June ± 12 days; clutch size 3.7 ± 1.2 eggs/nest; egg volume 98.8 ± 10.4 cm³; and clutch volume 392.3 ± 135.0 cm³. Rigolet had the highest average egg volumes and nest densities, the highest single island nest density of 1053 nests/ha, and the earliest average nest initiation date. We found significant differences in nest densities among archipelagos and across years; significant archipelago and year interactions were detected for nest initiation date and clutch size. Significant differences were found among individual islands for all response variables except egg volume. For egg volume, within-archipelago island differences were not significant, but between-archipelago differences were significant. Thus egg volume may be a useful diagnostic to identify population affiliation.     

南极长城站和中山站贼鸥种群生态学比较研究

对南极长城站和中山站两地的贼鸥种群进行包括营巢行为、觅食习性、种群变化、繁殖生态 ,以及贼鸥栖息地的地理和生态环境等的比较研究 ,结果表明两地贼鸥种群存在明显的生态学差异。这种差异不仅反映了贼鸥的生态习性与栖息地自然环境和生态结构的密切相关性 ,更体现了该种海鸟对南极不同生存环境极强的适应能力。人类活动以及贼鸥对人类废弃食物的依赖 ,在一定程度上改变动物食物结构 ,并对贼鸥生态习性乃至种群数量变化均产生一定影响。两地贼鸥种群通过改变觅食对策和调整产卵、孵化时间和延长育雏期等 ,达到对不同地理纬度和气候条件的适应 ,确保物种的延续     

Status of the common eider breeding in the municipality of Avanersuaq (Thule), north-west Greenland

Late in the summers of 1997 and 1998 surveys of common eider ( Somateria mollissima ) colonies were conducted throughout Avanersuaq Municipality in north-west Greenland. Although old information from eider colonies was available, these surveys provided the first almost all colonies in the district, thereby improving the baseline data for assessing future population changes. The surveys were based on nest counts, and all but two colonies in the district were counted, In total, 3800 nest were counted and an educated guess for the total population in Avanersuaq Municipality, including the two inaccessible colonies, would be around 5000 pairs. Average clutch size was 3.74 similar to or higher than in other areas of Greenland and high Artic Canada suggesting favourable conditions for eiders in the survey area. Comparison with older data suggests that the breeding population in Avanersuaq is stable. This observation contrasts with the declines ocserved in other parts of Greenland. Further studies into possible population specific mirigation routs and wintering areas as well as the direct and indirect effects of the intensive winter hunting in south-west Greenland are warranted.     

中国城市人口增长过程及差异研究

采用1984—2003年中国所有设市城市完整的人口规模数据,揭示该阶段中国城市人口增长过程的总体特征、等级差异特征及空间差异特征。分析认为:中国城市人口增长过程具有持续性和波动性的总体特征;在等级差异方面则表现为明显的阶段性特征,2000年前以中小城市增长为主,之后则以特大城市和大城市增长为主;人口增长过程存在显著的空间差异,最突出的是以东北三省为主的北方城市人口增长明显慢于全国平均水平,此外,新城市的人口增长明显快于原有城市。     

Clutch, egg and body size variation among common eiders breeding in Hudson Bay, Canada

The Hudson Bay common eider ( Somateria molissima sedentaria ) is a unique subspecies of eider that remains within the confines of Hudson Bay throughout the year. We compared clutch, egg and body size variation among populations of common eiders breeding in eastern and western Hudson Bay. Clutch size did not differ substantially among these populations. All eiders in Hudson Bay laid larger clutches than other subspecies in eastern North America. As Hudson Bay common eiders do not undergo extensive migrations, they may have more energy reserves available to them for egg production. Eiders nesting in eastern Hudson Bay laid larger eggs than eiders nesting in western Hudson Bay. Further, eiders in eastern Hudson Bay tended to be structurally larger, but had smaller bill processes. These differences may have a genetic basis. Smaller egg size and body size may arise in western Hudson Bay from mixing with the smaller borealis subspecies nesting to the north. Further work to resolve genetic affinities, determine levels of male and female dispersal, and examine variation in reproductive ecology are needed to resolve the sources of these differences.     

黄土高原地区人口收缩格局与驱动力分析

基于2005年和2015年人口数据,运用收缩指数、地统计分析和地理探测器等方法,研究不同地理尺度下黄土高原地区人口收缩现象与地域分异格局,揭示黄土高原地区人口收缩驱动力差异及机理.结果 表明:(1)黄土高原地区县级与地级行政单元下人口收缩比例均较高,单一地理尺度识别人口收缩存在偏差.(2)黄土高原地区的人口收缩现象在区...     

Ecological differences of south polar skua populations from Fildes Peninsula of King George Island and eastern Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

A study has been done on the comparison of nesting and feeding behavior, population variances as well as breeding success between two populations of south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) from near Great Wall station on Fildes Peninsula and near Zhongshan station in Eastern Larsemann Hills, Antarctica. There are evident differences in their population ecology. The foraging habit is much related to regional ecosystem and food resources near their territorial area. Dependence on human food waste influences skua's diet,which considerably affects their behavior even population variation in both areas. The skuas in Zhongshan Station,could shorten and/or regulate the timing for their egg laying and hatching, and take precedence of one chick brooding, for keeping their breeding success, and subsequent species continuation.     

中国省域犯罪率影响因素的空间非平稳性分析

收入差距和流动人口是影响犯罪率的两个重要因素, 以往研究基于OLS模型, 在假设地域空间为均质的前提下分析其对犯罪率的影响, 但现实世界的空间单元往往难以满足“均质”的假设, 多数表现为“空间异质”。以OLS计量空间异质会造成计量结果出现偏差, 同时无法了解不同空间单元的不同影响。而地理加权回归模型通过将空间结构嵌入线性回归模型中, 很好的解决了空间异质的计量问题。利用地理加权回归模型研究2008 年中国大陆省域单元犯罪率的影响因素, 结果表明:① 犯罪率的影响因素表现出空间非平稳性, 流动人口与犯罪率显著相关, 但各个省份相关程度并不相同, 影响关系随空间位置变化而变化;② 地理加权回归模型的计量精度和拟合度比OLS模型有大幅提高     

中国省域人口空间结构特征及其对经济绩效的影响——基于实体城市的空间识别

基于LandScan全球人口和ESA全球土地利用数据,构建2000—2015年中国省域人口空间结构数据库,刻画省域人口空间结构的时空格局,进而运用面板固定效应法、两阶段最小二乘法和差分GMM法探索空间结构对省域经济绩效的影响及这种影响对不同规模省域的差异,最后从省会城市集聚（不）经济的角度分析其内在机制。结果发现：① 2000—2015年,中国所有省会城市的人口规模都得到了显著增加,省域人口空间结构存在单中心化的演变趋势,且中西部地区省域人口空间结构相对偏单中心化;② 对所有省份尤其是人口规模相对较小的省份而言,人口空间结构单中心化倾向于提高省域经济效率,而对人口规模相对大的省份,人口空间结构单中心化很可能不利于省域经济效率的提高;③ 省会城市自身已经初显集聚不经济的迹象。     

Incorporating GIS Building Data and Census Housing Statistics for Sub-Block-Level Population Estimation

This article presents a deterministic model for sub-block-level population estimation based on the total building volumes derived from geographic information system (GIS) building data and three census block-level housing statistics. To assess the model, we generated artificial blocks by aggregating census block areas and calculating the respective housing statistics. We then applied the model to estimate populations for sub-artificial-block areas and assessed the estimates with census populations of the areas. Our analyses indicate that the average percent error of population estimation for sub-artificial-block areas is comparable to those for sub-census-block areas of the same size relative to associated blocks. The smaller the sub-block-level areas, the higher the population estimation errors. For example, the average percent error for residential areas is approximately 0.11 percent for 100 percent block areas and 35 percent for 5 percent block areas.     

The Emergence of New Hispanic Settlement Patterns in Appalachia*

This article evaluates the emerging Hispanic population in Appalachia, which nearly tripled in size to 465,000 between 1980 and 2000. Using 1980, 1990, and 2000 census data, changes in the geographic distribution of Hispanics and in the economic characteristics of counties with growth in Hispanic population are assessed. Results suggest that high‐growth counties are clustered in peripheral areas in the northern and southern subregions and are characterized by higher per capita income and greater economic viability than those areas with relatively low Hispanic population growth.     

雅鲁藏布江中游干旱沙地砂生槐种群结构与点格局分析

砂生槐（Sophora moorcroftiana）是雅鲁藏布江中游干旱河谷区植被群落的重要建群种,具有极强的耐瘠薄、抗风沙等生态适应性和防风固沙、保持水土功能。为了揭示砂生槐种群的结构、生长特征和空间分布规律,运用大小级组成和Ripley’s K函数分别研究了砂生槐的种群结构和空间点格局,发现砂生槐个体主要集中在中等大小（冠幅40～80 cm,高度20～40 cm）范围,幼苗期成活率较低,中等个体抗逆和生存能力较强。砂生槐种群的发展演替过程可以概括为：少数个体集群性定居→在原有聚集尺度范围繁殖→种群改良局部环境,密度增大,种内竞争加剧→种群向更大尺度扩散和壮大,演替进入顶极阶段。砂生槐种群各大小级都呈现以9 m左右尺度斑块状聚集分布的特征,在实地生态恢复过程中应遵循其生长和自然分布规律,人工栽培中应重点注意冠幅＜20 cm、高度＜13 cm阶段幼苗的抚育,另外应首先选择土质等条件相对优越的小生境种成适当规模的集群分布形式,充分发挥其防风沙的能力、提高栽培成活率和固沙效率。     

Home-range sizes of social groups of Mongolian gerbils Meriones unguiculatus

Spacing behavior is important to the population regulation and social organization of rodents. However, little is known regarding the factors influencing space use by rodent social groups. We tested the hypotheses that food resources in the typical steppe would be so abundant that food availability would not be a limiting factor of home-range sizes of social groups of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). We also assessed the effects of social organization on the home-range size of social groups of gerbils, using capture-recapture methods. Home ranges of social groups of Mongolian gerbils did not differ in size between the breeding and non-breeding periods; however, home ranges overlapped more during the breeding period than during the non-breeding period. Overlap of home ranges might allow male gerbils to access female mates of neighboring colonies during the breeding period. Home-range sizes of social groups were positively related to number of males during the breeding period, but positively related to group size and number of females during the non-breeding period. Therefore, social organization influenced home-range sizes of social groups. Our hypothesis that food availability is not a limiting factor of space use by social groups of Mongolian gerbils from spring through autumn was supported.     

The extended reproductive season of tent tortoises (Psammobates tentorius tentorius): A response to an arid and unpredictable environment

In arid environments, limited resources may compromise allocations to reproduction, while unpredictable rainfall may confound the timing of reproductive events. Here we evaluate how female tent tortoises (Psammobates tentorius tentorius) allocate resources to reproduction while coping with low and unpredictable rainfall. Vitellogenesis in tent tortoises started in autumn, when rainfall was highest and most predictable. Tent tortoises required a high body condition and large follicles to ovulate their first clutches, but a temperature threshold for ovulation may have prevented breeding during the winter months. Females produced small clutches (1.78±0.63; 1–3 eggs) but produced several clutches (3.7±1.6; 1–6 clutches) from spring to late autumn. Clutch frequency (CF) was correlated to body condition, and CF rather than clutch size (CS) determined annual fecundity. Although body size influenced egg size, body size had no effect on CS, CF or fecundity. There was no trade-off between relative egg size and CS. The small clutches of tent tortoises limit the risks of producing too many offspring at one time, a scenario that may leave females without resources for their own needs. When clutches are small, an extended breeding season enhances reproductive output by providing females more time and opportunities to leave offspring.     

乡镇尺度上的山东省人口老龄化空间格局演变与影响因素研究

基于第五次和第六次人口普查数据,研究了乡镇尺度上山东省人口老龄化的空间格局及其演变特征,并采用空间计量方法定量探讨了其影响因素。研究发现：① 山东省人口老龄化发展迅猛,但乡镇街道之间在老龄化水平、老年人口密度和增长速度等方面均存在非常显著的地域差异。② 按照不同的分析维度,山东省乡镇街道涵盖了丰富的人口老龄化地域类型,其中的2个类型形成了典型的空间分异格局。一类主要聚集在县级以上城市及其周边地域,总体上具有老年人口低占比、高密度、高绝对增长、低相对增长的特点;另一类是主要分布在胶东地区、黄河三角洲地区、沂蒙地区和鲁西地区等4个区域的一般乡镇,大体表现为高占比、低密度、低绝对增长、高相对增长特征。③ 空间滞后模型回归结果显示,老龄化动态演变过程的不确定性更强、影响因素更为复杂,基期老龄化基础对其影响效应不显著,经济增长速度有显著负向影响,但经济发展水平对老龄化静态格局的影响却不显著,使得乡镇尺度上老龄化空间格局的演变机制呈现出特殊性。     

Timing of breeding in free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehogs,Paraechinus aethiopicus,from Qatar

There is little information pertaining to the breeding behaviour and reproductive biology of free-ranging hedgehog populations outside of Europe. We monitored the seasonal changes in courtship behaviour and the presence of new young animals from a free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehog population in Qatar between 2010 and 2012. Based on frequencies of courtship behaviour and deduced frequencies of successful mating, the mating season of the Ethiopian hedgehog is believed to start in January and continue through until July with a clear peak during the February/March period. We propose the existence of two mating peaks, one in February/March and the second in June, suggesting that free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehogs breed more than twice a year in Qatar. Successful mating in late winter/early spring may be more important for the increasing the inclusive fitness of the parents based on the number of young individuals that survive beyond one month of age.     

准噶尔盆地西北缘梭梭种群结构和空间格局特征

 为了揭示准噶尔盆地西北缘梭梭种群的分布特点,结合径级结构、静态生命表和存活曲线,对准噶尔盆地西北缘两种典型生境条件下梭梭种群年龄结构和空间分布格局进行了研究。研究显示,在不同生境条件下,梭梭种群径级结构差异明显。山前戈壁梭梭种群Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ径级个体数占所有径级个体总数的96.21%,大径级个体缺失,该种群发育时间较短,种群处于增长阶段;干涸湖底梭梭种群Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ径级个体数占所有径级个体总数的63.38%,存在一定数量的大径级个体,该种群发育历史较长,种群处于稳定阶段。格局分析表明,在不同生境条件下,梭梭种群均呈聚集分布。在梭梭种群的不同发育阶段,随径级的增大,种群分布由聚集分布向随机分布或均匀分布发展。总体来看,不同生境条件下梭梭种群年龄结构和空间分布格局差异明显。这是种群发育历史、物种特性、环境、干扰等因素综合作用的结果。     

Population migration across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Spatiotemporal patterns and driving factors

Developing a comprehensive understanding of inter-city interactions is crucial for regional planning.We therefore examined spatiotemporal patterns of population migration across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP)using migration big data from Tencent for the period between 2015 and 2019.We initially used decomposition and breakpoint detection methods to examine time-series migration data and to identify the two seasons with the strongest and weakest population migration levels,between June 18th and August 18th and between Oc-tober 8th and February 15th,respectively.Population migration within the former period was 2.03 times that seen in the latter.We then used a variety of network analysis methods to examine population flow directions as well as the importance of each individual city in migra-tion.The two capital cities on the QTP,Lhasa and Xining,form centers for population migra-tion and are also transfer hubs through which migrants from other cities off the plateau enter and leave this region.Data show that these two cities contribute more than 35％of total population migration.The majority of migrants tend to move within the province,particularly during the weakest migration season.We also utilized interactive relationship force and ra-diation models to examine the interaction strength and the radiating energy of each individual city.Results show that Lhasa and Xining exhibit the strongest interactions with other cities and have the largest radiating energies.Indeed,the radiating energy of the QTP cities cor-relates with their gross domestic product(GDP)(Pearson correlation coefficient:0.754 in the weakest migration season,WMS versus 0.737 in the strongest migration season,SMS),while changes in radiating energy correlate with the tourism-related revenue(Pearson correlation coefficient:0.685).These outcomes suggest that level of economic development and level of tourism are the two most important factors driving the QTP population migration.The results of this analysis provide critical clarification guidance regarding huge QTP development dif-ferences.     

长江口北支湿地鸟类多样性研究 Ⅱ.水鸟群落多样性研究

野外实地调查表明,光滩、藻类盐渍带-藨草、海三棱藨草带-芦苇带-堤内养殖塘4种典型湿地生境是长江口北支湿地水鸟的主要活动区域。光滩、藻类盐渍带中水鸟的种类和数量均最多,其次为堤内养殖塘和藨草、海三棱藨草带,芦苇带中水鸟的种类和数量均最少,食源状况是导致不同生境中水鸟群落分布差异的主要原因。在4种典型湿地生境中,鸟类群落的物种多样性和均匀度均存在差异,但总体上差异不明显,物种多样性均处在中等偏上水平,而均匀度普遍较低。光滩、藻类盐渍带与堤内养殖塘水鸟群落的相似性最高,相似性指数高达0.697;芦苇带与其他3种生境中水鸟群落的相似性均很低,相似性指数均不大于0.257。表明芦苇带与其他3种生境中水鸟群落组成有较大差异。