On the red coloration of saltern crystallizer ponds

To assess, respectively, the contribution of red bacteria of theHalobacterium-Haloferax-Haloarcula group and of the β-carotene-rich green algaDunaliella salina to the red colour of saltern crystallizer ponds, we studied the optical properties of the brines of NaCl-saturated saltern ponds in Eilat, Israel, and quantified the pigments present in their biota. The absorption spectrum of the brines, as measured using the opal glass method to reduce the interference by scattering, or using an integrating sphere, nearly corresponded to thein vivo absorption spectrum of bacterioruberin-containing red archaeobacteria. However, extracts of the microbial community in organic solvents were dominated by β-carotene, a pigment occurring in high concentrations in theDunaliella cells present, and bacterioruberin contributed only between 13 and 28 per cent of the total visible light absorption by the extracts. The apparent discrepancy between these results can be explained by the very small in vivo optical cross-section of β-carotene, which is densely packed in globules inside theD. salina cells.     

On the red coloration of saltern crystallizer ponds. II. Additional evidence for the contribution of halobacterial pigments

In a previous paper we attempted to assess the contribution of red bacteria of theHalobacterium — Haloferax — Haloarcula group and of the -carotene-rich green algaDunaliella salina to the red colour of saltern crystallizer ponds. By means of light absorption measurements, we showed that bacterioruberin contained in the bacteria was mainly responsible for the colour of the brines, in spite of the fact that -carotene derived fromDunaliella was the pigment present in the greatest amount. This apparent discrepancy was explained by the very smallin vivo optical cross-section of -carotene, which is densely packed in globules inside theD. salina cells. We recently observed that the centrifugation technique used in the previous study to collect biomass from the ponds was unsuitable for this type of measurements, as a substantial part of theDunaliella cells present did not sediment upon centrifugation due to the low specific gravity caused by the high -carotene content. Therefore similar measurements were performed with biomass collected by filtration. Again,in vivo absorption spectra were dominated by the absorption peaks of bacterioruberin. The results reported here show that, in spite of the methodological problem associated with the earlier study, all views and conclusions expressed in our earlier paper retain their validity.     

Ecology and population structure of theArtemia parthenogenetica,population inhabiting a major saltern in Sri Lanka

The structure of the naturally occurringArtemia parthenogenetica population inhabiting the Mahalewaya Saltern in Sri Lanka was studied over an annual cycle, together with accompanying variations in the physico-chemical characteristics of its pond waters.Artemia was found only in the serially connected earthen ponds that serve as condenser pans in the saltern. Over the 12-month period of study, salinities in these ponds ranged from 81.5 to 199.6 ppt, temperatures from 28.2 to 33.6°C, pH from 7.9 to 9.1 and dissolved oxygen from, 1.1 to 9.0 mg L^–1. The physico-chemical characters varied along a gradient across the three ponds, with salinity and temperature increasing with proximity of the condenser pans to the crystallizers of the saltern and dissolved, oxygen values showing the opposite trend. The ponds containingArtemia were shallow and had a maximum depth of 37 cm. Gross primary productivity ranged from negative values to 686.4 mg C m^–2 day^–1. Rainfall was distributed non-uniformly almost throughout the year, most of it being experienced from August to October, with a 254 mm maximum in October and lesser rainfall from December to May. Population numbers ranged from zero to 125 individuals L^–1 and declined with increasing salinities and temperatures which related, spatilly, to increasing proximity of ponds to crystallizers and temporally, to the dry weather periods. Recruitment was best at low salinities and temperatures (104 to 114 ppt and 28.2 to 30.5°C) but also took place, although, at reduced intensities, up to 174 ppt salinity and 32.2°C temperature. Populations were mostly dominated by instar I stage nauplii with adult stages predominating only during periods of high salinity and temperature. Water management practices for salt production in the salterns included maintaining shallow depths that lead to high water temperatures and pond irrigation procedures that resulted in abrupt salinity changes. Such practices limited the size of theArtemia population as well as prevented its spread into the numerous ponds of the saltern.     

Seasonal timing of N pulses influences N capture in a saltbush scrub community

Limiting resources are generally available in brief temporal pulses in arid systems. We compared the abilities of dominant shrubs in a saltbush scrub community to capture N from pulses and evaluated whether N capture and partitioning within this community is influenced by the seasonal timing of pulses. Based on previous research in agronomic systems we predicted that the ability of a species to capture N following a pulse would depend on when the pulse occurred in relation to plant growth rate and N demand. Supporting this hypothesis, Atriplex confertifolia and Sarcobatus vermiculatus, which had greater growth rates early in the growing season compared to Atriplex parryi, captured more N from early spring pulses than A. parryi. Atriplex parryi, which had higher growth rates later in the growing season, captured more N from mid- and late spring pulses than the other species. These temporal differences in N capture among species, however, also depended on the magnitude of the N pulse. These results suggest that temporal variation in N availability may differentially impact competitive abilities of coexisting species and potentially facilitate species coexistence in arid systems.     

Microfungal community associated with rhizosphere soil of Zygophyllum qatarense in arid habitats of Bahrain

Population density and species diversity of microfungal communities were investigated in the rhizosphere soil of the halophytic plant Zygophyllum qatarense inhabiting saline and nonsaline habitats of the arid desert environment of Bahrain. Unlike the nonsaline habitat which is situated in the physiographic zone of multiple escarpment and backslopes, the saline site is located in the coastal lowlands and is featured by high chloride content, electrical conductivity, total soluble salts and low organic matter. Soils of both habitats are sandy, slightly alkaline, poor in nutrient sources, low in water-holding capacity and mainly dominated by a salt-tolerant flora. Quantification of data for the recovery of fungi were based on colony identification and counts by a series of ten-fold dilutions plate method, using various natural, synthetic and selective media. A total of 2780 isolates, fluctuating between 25 and 1109 per sample, were recovered during the present study among all habitats, seasons and plant sizes. Grouping of these isolates has resulted in a maximum of 28 fungal taxa varied between 5 and 15 species, of which 24 were hyphomycetes, 3 ascomycetes and one was an unknown species. All the recorded species in this study, excluding the genus Fusarium, are newly reported from the arid terrestrial habitats of Bahrain. Of the encountered fungi,Cladosporium sphaerospermum was the most dominant and frequent genus, among all plant sizes, followed by Penicillium citrinam and Aspergillus fumigatus, a finding with consistent documented data from similar arid Sahara ecosystems. Examination of data, supported by analysis of relative density values, percentage recovery rates, polar ordination and diversity indices revealed that the nonsaline habitat during the dry period yielded the highest isolate frequency, species abundance, and diversity when compared with the saline habitat. Moreover, a progressive increase in colony occurrence and species diversity was equivalently associated with increment in plant size in the nonsaline habitat. Apparently, the vast majority (moderate to low occurrence class) of the reported species are rhizosphere indigenous saprophytic cellulose-decomposers, whilst the sparse taxa (high occurrence class), e.g. C. sphaerospermum, are regarded as thermo-osmotolerant. Comparison of species richness among samples suggests that small plants inhabiting nonsaline habitats during the wet and dry season were richest in species composition. It is proposed that inter- and intra-specific variation in fungal community between the above habitats reflect not only the influence of plant age and season but also extends to critical multi-soil edaphic and biotic factors involving essentially soil moisture, salinity and root growth dynamic and exudates.     

Use of large Acacia trees by the cavity dwelling Black-tailed Tree Rat in the Southern Kalahari

Recent extensive harvesting of large, often dead Acacia trees in arid savanna of southern Africa is cause for concern about the conservation status of the arid savanna and its animal community. We mapped vegetation and nests of the Black-tailed Tree Rat Thallomys nigricauda to assess the extent to which the rats depend on particular tree species and on the existence of dead, standing trees. The study was conducted in continuous Acacia woodland on the southern and eastern edge of the Kalahari, South Africa. Trees in which there were tree rat nests were compared with trees of similar size and vigour to identify the characteristics of nest sites. Spatial analysis of tree rat distribution was conducted using Ripley's-L function. We found that T. nigricauda was able to utilize all available tree species, as long as trees were large and old enough so that cavities were existing inside the stem. The spatial distribution of nest trees did not show clumping at the investigated scale, and we therefore reject the notion of the rats forming colonies when inhabiting continuous woodlands. The selection of a particular tree as a nest site was furthermore depending on the close proximity of the major food plant, Acacia mellifera. This may limit the choice of suitable nest sites, since A. mellifera was less likely to grow within a vegetation patch containing a large trees than in patches without large trees.     

Biological and physical events involved in the origin,effects, and control of organic matter in solar saltworks

Aspects of communities and events in the concentrating ponds (S.G. 1.130 to 1.214) and salt crystallizing ponds (S.G. 1.215 to 1.264) of solar saltworks pertinent to salt manufacture are described. Communities that aid salt manufacture enable continuous and efficient production of high quality salt at a saltworks' design capacity, and they provide important controls on levels of organic matter in the brine. Fluctuating salinities, high concentrations of nutrients, and petroleum products are disturbances that causeAphanothece halophytica andDunaliella salina to release excessive quantities of organic matter, and that suppress or cause death to nutrient stripping organisms. Disturbances result in decreased quality and quantity of salt and increased costs for salt harvest, washing, and pond upkeep. Organic matter can be controlled by management techniques that keep nutrient stripping communities at proper levels and maintain a narrow and unchanging range of salinities in each pond, by constructing pond dikes able to withstand wind and water erosion, and by preventing spills of petroleum products in the ponds.     

Edible biomass production from some important browse species in the Sahelian zone of West Africa

Acacia senegal, Guiera senegalensis and Pterocarpus lucens, browse species important in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso were studied by the estimation of their phenological variation over time and the evaluation of edible biomass production, total and accessible directly to animals. Biomass production was also estimated using dendrometric parameters. All the three species started the foliation phase as soon as the rains started. A. senegal and P. lucens flowered before G. senegalensis and A. senegal lost leaves earlier. The fruiting phase lasted 6–7 months for all species. Accessible edible biomass varied according to the animal species, the plant species and the height of plants. G. senegalensis showed the highest proportion of accessible biomass, but P. lucens had higher total edible biomass. Goats browsing at higher height had more edible biomass at their disposal. The accessible edible biomass was weakly correlated with tree parameters, while crown diameter was the best parameter to predict total edible biomass production, with R² varying from 90% (G. senegalensis) to 98% (P. lucens) in log₁₀ transformation of dependent and independent variables. The single species models developed could be applied in similar agro-ecological zones, taking into account the height stratification of plants. Further investigations on others species are needed to be able to estimate total biomass available for browsing.     

Comparison of the growth and biomass production of six acacia species in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after 4 years of irrigated cultivation

The growth and biomass production of six acacia species were studied in the field for 4 years. The species used were Acacia asak, A. negrii, A. seyal, A. karroo, A. ampliceps, and A. stenophylla. The first three species are indigenous while the others are exotic. The results showed both A. ampliceps and A. asak with 100% survival while all A. negrii died. Acacia ampliceps attained the greatest height, diameter, relative growth rate and above-ground biomass while A. asak had the least. Height and diameter growth of acacia species decreased between warm and cold periods of the year.     

Amelioration of soil fertility by woody perennials in cropping fields: evaluation of three tree species in the semi-arid zone of Nigeria

Soil was sampled from cropping fields in radial patterns from beneathAcacia albida, Parkia bigloboza(Jacq.) Benth. andEucalyptus camaldulensisDehnh. near Zaria, Nigeria. Results of analysis show a significant coarsening of soil texture and a decrease in organic matter and cation exchange capacity with increasing distance from all three tree species at a depth of 0–15 cm. Concentrations of nitrogen and some exchangeable cations decreased significantly with increasing distance from beneath acacia and parkia, and soil pH decreased with increasing distance from eucalyptus. The implication of the results for land management are discussed in relation to increasing productivity and soil use sustainability.     

Display-sites selection by houbara bustard (Chlamydotis [undulata] macqueenii) in Mori, Xinjiang, People''s Republic of China

Display-site selection by houbara bustards was studied in Mori, Xinjiang, China during the breeding seasons from April to June 2000. Most of the habitats chosen for displaying were short sub-shrubby and open areas close to high shrub patches. The displaying males clearly prefer low covered areas and avoid densely covered and high vegetation sites. The vegetation density and number of plant species at display sites were significantly lower from that at randomly selected sites. The average distance to the closest shrub patch was significantly shorter at display sites than at random sites. Plant species richness, vegetative density, vegetative cover and distance to the shrub patches are possibly the most important factors that determined the display-sites selection of houbara bustard.     

ITS sequence analysis of Artemisia halodendron in different habitat gradients

The aim of the present study is to investigate the difference between ITS sequences of Artemisia halodendron Turcz. from different habitat gradients in Horqin Sandy Land, with Artemisia depauperata Krasch. selected as the outgroup. Results indicate that the total length of A. halodendron ITS is 696 bp, the lengths of unaligned ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences varied from 253 to 256 bp and 264 to 269 bp, respectively, and GC content of ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences ranged from 54.02% to 54.77% and 56.75% to 58.64%, respectively. This indicates a high difference of length and composition of sequences in ITS-1 than ITS-2. The genetic identity between ITS sequences of A. halodendron from nine populations ranged from 85.7% to 99.7% which indicates some genetic differentiation between sequences. In the maximum parsimony (MP) tree, most ITS sequences from A. halodendron show two major clades: Clade I and Clade II, with Clade II older than Clade I. The order is subp4 → subp1 → subp2 → subp3 → subp8 → subp6 → subp7 → subp9 → subp5, and corresponding habitat order is: inter-dune lowlands → semi-mobile dune → mobile dune → semi-fixed dune → fixed dune. This indicates a close relation between the evolutionary processes of A. halodendron and desertification forming processes and ecological restoration processes of Horqin Sandy Land.     

Distribution and density of maguey plants in the arid Zacatecas Plateau, Mexico

The distribution and density of Agave salmiana ssp. crassispina within the state of Zacatecas, Mexico in the period from May 2001 to October 2002 is reported here for the first time. A field sampling was conducted based on a stratified random design. The resulting sample size was 154 plots, which were distributed randomly in three strata: high, medium, and low density. In each plot the following parameters were determined; latitude, longitude and number of agave plants that were classified into the following stages: juvenile; pre-reproductive; reproductive; and mature. The spatial data analysed using GIS showed that Agave salmiana ssp. crassispina is distributed over approximately 59,905 ha. Out of this total area, about 1142 ha were classified as high density, 51,529 ha as medium density, and 7234 ha as low density. The estimated density of agave plants in high-density strata was an average of 3125 individuals per hectare in comparison with 788 and 652 individuals per hectare for medium, and low density, respectively. It is recommended to protect the areas with higher density and to establish plantations in those with low density, but with the necessary conditions for the development and sustainability of this specie.     

Influences of various grazing systems on community biomass of a desert grassland in Inner Mongolia, China

This study investigated the effects of various grazing systems, including continuous grazing, rotational grazing, and no-grazing systems, on the community biomass in the Stipa breviflora Griseb desert grassland during the grazing seasons in 2005, 2006, and 2007, based on study sites established in 1999. We found that the seasonal dynamics of the aboveground biomass were quite similar among the three treatments, which reached peak values in period from August to September during each study year. The continuous grazing system reduced the aboveground biomass from 2005 to 2007 under drought conditions, and the rotational grazing and no-grazing systems maintained more aboveground biomass than the continuous grazing system did. The belowground biomass declined with the increase of soil depth among the three treatments, and in the surface 20-cm soil layer it accounted for more than 60% of the total biomass. The belowground biomass was found to be highly correlated with soil depth under rotational grazing. The total belowground biomass within the 0–100-cm soil layer for rotational grazing was significantly higher than for continuous grazing and no-grazing, and had 15,775 kg/ha more biomass. Our results demonstrate that conservative rotational grazing can alleviate grassland deterioration by reserving more aboveground and belowground biomass than the continuous grazing system does.     

The influence of elevation, shrub species, and biological soil crust on fertile islands in the Mojave Desert, USA

We quantified soil nutrients and biological crust cover (bryophytes and lichens) under the canopies of three species of Mojave Desert shrubs and in interspaces between shrubs at three elevations to determine the effects of shrub species, soil crust, and elevation on islands of soil fertility. Means of pH, organic matter, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrogen mineralization, and gravimetric soil moisture are significantly greater in soils under Ambrosia dumosa (Gray) Payne, Larrea tridentata Cov., and Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. than soils from adjacent interspace microhabitats. Although soil moisture and soil organic matter increase by a factor of 1.5 from the low elevation to the high elevation site, the ratio of shrub to interspace concentrations, or the difference in mean soil variables between shrubs and interspaces, is effectively constant and independent of elevation. Total bryophyte and lichen cover is relatively low (24.5%), however, there are 11 species of bryophytes and two species of lichens distributed across three elevations with the highest species richness and cover at the low-elevation site. Bryophyte and lichen cover is correlated with silt but is not related, consistently, to soil nutrients. Overall, the balance of processes controlling spatial aggregation of soil nutrients under shrubs is remarkably insensitive to potential differences in organic inputs among elevations, shrub species, and soil crust surfaces.     

Production of polysaccharide slime by microbial mats in the hypersaline environment of a Western Australian solar saltfield

Of the many microorganisms present in the hypersline environment of the saltfield studied, the cyanobacteriumSynechococcus was found to be the major producer of polysaccharide slime. When dissolved in the brine, this slime caused elevated brine viscosities which impaired the quality of the salt crystallised from such brine.Synechococcus was present in benthic microbial mats throughout the 6 concentrating ponds of the saltfield, but it dominated in the ponds where brine density was above 1.10 g cm^–3, corresponding to the saturation density of gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O). At such density,Synechococcus was always associated with copious amounts of slime. At lower density, the nature of the substratum over which the mat was growing affected the slime content and productivity of the mat, presumably relatively to its ability to supply nutrients to the mat. Under laboratory conditions, the addition of gypsum stimulated the growth ofSynechococcus in the presence of excess phosphate (>15 mg L^–1 PO₄-P). Slime production however was not stimulated by high salinity, addition of (CaSO₄·2H₂O), NaSO₄ or nitrate deficiency. Only as cultures entered a stationary phase of growth did slime production increase. It was concluded that a nutrient limitation was probably responsible for the activation of extracellular polysaccharide production, possibly as a means of disposing of excess photosynthetically fixed carbon.     

Diatoms from gut contents of museum specimens of an endangered minnow suggest long-term ecological changes in the Rio Grande (USA)

Diatoms consumed by Rio Grande silvery minnows (Hybognathus amarus) collected 104 years apart were used to deduce ecological requirements of this endangered species and to infer a possible cause of its decline based on environmental conditions in the Rio Grande. In 1874, foraged diatoms were largely motile, silt tolerant generalist and epipelic species (e.g. Navicula capitatoradiata, Navicula cryptotenella, Nitzschia palea, Sellaphora pupula) somewhat tolerant to pollution and indicative of eutrophic conditions, low dissolved oxygen, and high biological oxygen demand (BOD). In contrast, diatoms foraged in 1978 were mainly nonmotile epipsammic species (Fragilariaceae) sensitive to pollution and characteristic of low nutrient, oligotrophic conditions with high dissolved oxygen and low BOD. The large-scale difference in composition of the foraged diatom assemblages is consistent with a decline in nutrients and a shift in trophic state commonly associated with river regulation by dams. The results suggest that facilitating allochthonous input of detritus and nutrients into the Rio Grande ecosystem to meet foraging requirements for algivorous and detritivorous fish species such as H. amarus would be a good river restoration strategy.     

An analysis of winter temperature and dew point under the canopy of a common Sonoran Desert nurse and the implications for positive plant interactions

Many studies have focused on positive-plant interactions such as nurse plants, which provide a sheltered subcanopy environment that benefits the nursed species. Most of these studies have focused on plant distribution and association patterns, while the microclimatic benefits are often assumed. This study quantifies 5 a.m. subcanopy temperatures as well as dew points beneath a common nurse tree of the Sonoran Desert, Cercidium microphyllum (palo verde, Fabaceae). Data are collected over 35 days in the winter (January and February) at six locations (at the base of the trunk, midway to the canopy edge, canopy edge, all to the north and to the south of the base of the tree) under each of two trees, as well as a control in the open.It is warmer beneath the tree than in the open, but also, it is warmer in the interior than at the canopy edge, and warmer to the south. Furthermore, differences in temperature between the subcanopy and the open site are greater on colder nights, and less pronounced on warmer winter nights, possibly due to the effect of cloud cover which often results in warmer overnight lows. In addition, variation in 5 a.m. temperature is greatest at the canopy edge and open, and temperature varies less in the interior where temperatures are also warmer. Subcanopy cover was quantified using fish-eye imagery. Results show that there is a significant relationship between 5 a.m. temperature and overlying cover.Dew point temperatures, surprisingly, were lower under the tree than at the canopy edge and in the open. That is, it is relatively dry under the nurse. This pattern can similarly be seen by distance and direction from the base of the tree (drier in the south). This may have to do with the nurse's roots and other vegetation growing beneath the nurse's canopy that compete for water in the ground, which leaves less available water to evaporate into the subcanopy air.     

History of a presently slightly acidic lake in northeastern Alberta,Canada as determined through analysis of the diatom record

The Holocene sedimentary diatom record from Otasan Lake, Alberta, has been analyzed to determine the development of this presently slightly acidic lake. The changes in the lake have been linked to the development of the Sphagnum-dominated catchment. Analysis of the stratigraphic data revealed four distinct zones. The lake record began ca. 8200 yrs BP with a benthic and alkaline diatom assemblage dominated by Ellerbeckia arenaria (Moore) Crawford. At ca. 7300 yrs BP planktonic species began to increase and dominate indicating increased water levels, decreased turbidity, and increased nutrient levels. Throughout the Holocene the peatland in the catchment encroached toward the modern lake margin and by ca. 5000 yrs BP lake acidity had changed sufficiently such that acidic diatom species dominated. Tabellaria flocculosa (Roth) Kütz.v. flocculosa Strain IIIp sensu Koppen dominated the record from ca. 5000 to ca. 3100 yrs BP. The lowest lake water pH was inferred for this zone. From ca. 3100 yrs BP to the present Fragilaria species, primarily F. construens v. venter (Ehr.) Hustedt, dominated the diatom assemblage. Diatom productivity and inferred pH were interpreted as stable. From correspondence analysis of the fossil samples, and from species assemblages, underlying gradients of pH, nutrient level, and water depth were inferred. The change from alkaline to slightly acidic conditions took place between ca. 8200 and ca. 5000 yrs BP. From ca. 3000 yrs BP to the present, lake water pH has remained fairly constant. Nutrient levels and water depth were inferred to have altered together. After ca. 8200 yrs BP, nutrients and water level began to increase until ca. 6000 yrs BP. Then, there was a gradual decline in these variables over the most acidic zone until ca. 3000 yrs BP, after which they, too, have remained fairly constant. Dominant Boreal Upland Vegetation was established by ca. 7200 yrs BP, and it was inferred that dominant climate patterns had been established at that time, but small changes in climate have occurred and the landscape in northeastern Alberta has only been stable for the last 3000 years.