西南极乔治王岛菲尔德斯半岛冷圈的结构特征

根据坑探、物探、测温资料和含冰量、含盐度的分析,讨论了菲尔德斯半岛的冻土上限及其垂直梯度的变化,并论证了石环区碗状冻结面的存在,提出了本区地壳冷圈的五层结构,即活动层、冻结砂砾石层、受海水渗透作用过的冻结火山岩层、无海水渗透影响的冻结火山岩层和未冻结的古陆基底层;肯定了离岸海下冻土的存在;发现了含盐量高的冻土电阻率可低达80Ω.m,并对冰缘地貌发育有抑制作用。     

Statistical, geochemical, and morphological analyses of stone line formation in Uganda

The resolution of conflicting fluvial (allochthonic erosion and deposition) and bioturbation (autochthonic faunal turbation) theories of stone line formation has important implications for tropical geomorphology—with the former indicating dynamic, punctuated landscape development and the latter implying relative landscape stability with ongoing moderate erosion. On a gentle hill in central Uganda, we quantitatively characterized and statistically modeled gravel distributions for 93 profiles. Elemental analysis of K, selected rare-earth elements (REE) and appropriate index elements were employed to test for compositional differences between soils above and saprolite below hilltop stone lines. We also excavated and carefully described four indicative profiles. The results of this study were difficult to reconcile with the bioturbation theory of stone line formation. Important findings included (i) the lack of a consistent gravel-free biomantle with a weak connection between biomantle thickness and stone-line depth, (ii) highly variable stone line depth with a strong inverse relationship between stone line depth and maximum gravel content, (iii) unweathered and rounded cobbles in a stone line over saprolite with angular, highly weathered quartz, and (iv) a statistically significant geochemical difference between soils and saprolites, with evidence of a less weathered surface mantle over more weathered saprolite. These findings indicated a sedimentary origin for soils at this site—even for what is presently a flat, geomorphically isolated hilltop. Evidence from this study and previous work on the geochemistry of this site [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 67 (2003) 2711] suggests that the contemporary hilltop once occupied a lower landscape position.     

On the presence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stephanodiscus niagarae</Emphasis> Ehrenberg in central Mexico

Stephanodiscus niagarae is frequently reported from late Pleistocene (>10,000 yr BP) sediments in central Mexico, with lower abundances through the Holocene. Its presence in Holocene and modern environments in central Mexico was not well documented until our study, where we report on three populations of S. niagarae, one middle Holocene population with particularly high abundance from the Upper Lerma Basin, and two modern sites, Valle de Bravo and Santa Elena. The three sites are located in the same geographical area, in the State of Mexico. The fossil material dates to ca. 6600–4900 yr BP, with S. niagarae reaching up to 90% of the diatom counts. Stephanodiscus niagarae is present in association with Fragilaria pinnata, F. brevistriata, and Aulacoseira granulata. In Valle de Bravo (ca. 30 m deep) S. niagarae is present in very low numbers in water column and surface sediments samples (<1%); the diatom assemblage is dominated by Fragilaria crotonensis in association with A. granulata, A. granulata var. curvata and Cyclotella ocellata. In Santa Elena, a shallow, intermittent irrigation channel, S. niagarae is the second most abundant alga; the diatom assemblage is dominated by S. niagarae in association with A. granulata, A. granulata var. curvata and F. crotonensis. Both modern sites show a trend to eutrophy and these diatom assemblages are taken as indicative of this trend. It is suggested researchers should be cautions when the presence of S. niagarae in sedimentary records is taken as indicative of deep waters conditions, as the present data show that this species can thrive in rather shallow environments in Mexico.     

STONE‐BANKED LOBES AS A PRODUCT OF MILD FREEZE–THAW ACTION: AN EXAMPLE FROM WESTERN TASMANIA,AUSTRALIA

This paper interprets a stone‐banked lobe on the upper western face of Mt Rufus, at an altitude of 1380 m in western Tasmania, Australia. The morphology of the deposit resembles that of a solifluction lobe. Field observations show vertical and downslope movement of pebbles, cobbles and small boulders over a single winter season. The movement is largely related to frost pull (10–15 cm) and shallow freeze–thaw processes promoting the downslope (up to 50 cm yr^–1) creep of material and the accumulation of coarse clasts at the lobe riser. The climate of Mt Rufus is strongly maritime and this is reflected in the limited duration and depth of penetration of frozen ground at this site during the 2013 winter. Despite the relatively mild climatic conditions, freeze–thaw processes are clearly the dominant geomorphic force operating at the site. These findings support observations of active stone‐banked lobes on sub‐Antarctic islands where intense freezing is absent. Both there and at Mt Rufus, movement is dominated by freeze–thaw processes operating in the upper c. 20 cm of the regolith. These are typical landforms of marginal freeze–thaw settings.     

天山乌鲁木齐河源空冰斗中分选环的观测与研究

本文研究了天山乌鲁木齐河源空冰斗中不同发育阶段的分选环的特征和同一发育阶段分选环的差异。对各阶段的分选环进行了形态、粒度、含水量、冻胀情况、砾石分选、组构以及用木桩垂直打入地下的观测和分析。     

巴江流域演变与路南石林发育耦合分析

本文分析了巴江喀斯特流域的水系、地貌结构特征,通过多次野外调研,探讨了石林的形态及其在巴江流域内的空间分布特征。研究表明石林主要发育在二叠系的栖霞组、茅口组灰岩上,岩性和地层的差异对石林的形状有较大影响;石林的分布在地貌部位上并无明显的选择性,在洼地、斜坡及山顶均可发育,但石林的形态和高度在三种地貌部位间有明显的变化规律;以路南群为中心,往北、东方向距路南群越远,石林的高度有逐渐减小的趋势,同时石柱间的距离也越来越大,由簇状石林向分离程度很好的单个石柱变化;天生桥为一地貌裂点,石林的形态和分布特征在其上、下也表现出明显的差异。同时,根据石林发育的“三元剥蚀”机制,结合路南地区的水文、地质、地貌演化史,作者进一步分析了路南石林发育和巴江流域演变之间的内在联系,并把路南石林的发育划分为三个时期,即路南古湖期、石林遍生期和流域回春期。作者认为,石林的出现和大范围分布并非偶然,而是巴江流域演变到一定阶段的产物。     

Malariological and sociological significance of ‘tanka’ and ‘beri’ in the Thar Desert, Western Rajasthan, India

Both ‘tanka’ and ‘beri’, the well-like structures made for storing drinking water fetched from distant places or superficially charged from the runoff water of the monsoon rains, are considered integral components of rural communities in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan State in north-western India.A. stephensi, the confirmed malaria vector in desert regions, breeds in these structures predominantly.     

Effect of plant species on shrub fertile island at an oasis–desert ecotone in the South Junggar Basin, China

Shrub fertile islands are a common feature in arid ecosystems. To examine the effect of plant species on the spatial patterns of soil chemical and physical properties surrounding individual shrubs, two deciduous shrub species with different morphologies (Tamarix spp. and Haloxylon ammodendron Bge.) were studied at an oasis–desert ecotone in South Junggar Basin. Soil samples were collected under the shrub crown (canopy), at the vertically projected limit of shrub crown margin (periphery), and in the space between shrub crowns (interspace) at two depths, 0–10 and 10–20 cm, to analyze their physical and chemical properties. The results show that the fertile islands of Tamarix spp. are enriched with more soil nutrients (significantly higher, P<0.05; soil organic matter (SOM); total nitrogen (TN) and available nitrogen (AN); to a deeper depth (>20 cm) and in a larger area (beyond the canopied area) compared to that of H. ammodendron (significantly higher, P<0.05, soil nutrients detected only for AN; <20 cm in depth; smaller than the canopied area). Soil texture patterns surrounding the shrubs of the two species are even more different, with more coarse particles under the Tamarix spp. canopies compared to the interspace between shrubs but fewer under the H. ammodendron canopies compared to the interspaces. These variations are attributed to the difference in morphology of the two studied species: the Y-shaped crowns of H. ammodendron are less capable of capturing and maintaining litter under them than the hemispheroidal crowns of Tamarix spp., which leads to the less well developed fertile islands surrounding H. ammodendron shrubs.     

First record of Branchinella spinosa (Milne-Edwards) (Crustacea: Branchiopodacolon; Anostraca) from Greece

As the result of a first screening of temporary inland water habitats,Branchinella spinosa is here recorded for the first time in Greece. This finding extends the circum-Mediterranean part of its vast distribution. The species was collected from a shallow astatic coastal salt-marsh that is mainly fed by rainwater, where it coexists but rarely co-occurs withArtemia parthenogenetica. Branchinella spinosa is only the fourth anostracan species currently known from Greece. The poor knowledge of anostracan richness and abundance is mainly due to limited sampling efforts in this area. As temporary aquatic habitats are threatened by several anthropogenic activities, especially agriculture and land clearing for urbanisation and tourism, there is an urgent necessity for further monitoring and protection of these precious habitats.     

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.     

Is exotic plant invasion enhanced by a traditional wildlife habitat management technique?

Soil disturbance is a wildlife habitat management tool that retards succession and promotes early seral vegetation. Our objective was to determine responses of two invasive herbaceous species (Pennisetum ciliare and Salsola iberica) and native perennial grasses to disking on different soils. Two 10 ×40 m plots were delineated within each of 4 blocks on Ramadero loams and 4 blocks on Delmita fine sandy loams. On Delmita soils, canopy cover of P. ciliare, S. iberica, and native perennial grasses averaged across all years was not affected by disking (ANOVA, P>0.05). On Ramadero soils, P. ciliare canopy cover was similar (Tukey's, P>0.05) on control and disked plots for the first 4 years post-disturbance, but P. ciliare cover was 10-fold greater (Tukey's, P=0.02) the 5th year after disking on disked versus control plots. On Ramadero soils, S. iberica canopy cover averaged across all years was 221 times greater (ANOVA, P=0.05) on disked plots than on control plots. Disking did not affect native perennial grass canopy cover. Land managers should consider soil series when disking for wildlife management, as disking disturbance may exacerbate exotic plant ingress and establishment on certain soils.     

Germination of Callitris seeds in relation to temperature, water stress, priming, and hydration–dehydration cycles

The effects of temperature, water stress, hydration–dehydration cycles and seed priming on the germination of Callitris verrucosa and Callitris preissii, two Australian semi-arid coniferous tree species, were investigated. Optimum germination occurred at 18°C, with a minimum germination time of 8–9 days for both species. At this temperature, germination was inhibited at osmotic potentials lower than −1·0 MPa, but the capacity to germinate at low osmotic stress increased as the temperature decreased. Seed priming and hydration–dehydration cycles did not reduce seed viability, and Callitris seeds appear to retain the physiological changes induced by short-term hydration, as the time to the onset of germination was decreased to about 3 days. The capacity of Callitris seeds for incremental germination is likely to increase overall germination success in a low rainfall environment.     

The impact of shade on establishment of shrubs adapted to the high light irradiation of semi-arid environments

Light may be an important limiting resource that influences community structure of chenopod shrublands. As part of a larger study that aimed to determine the factors that influence chenopod community structure, the focus of this study was the influence of plant canopy on the growth and establishment of smaller plants. We therefore measured the height and cover of three chenopods (Enchylaena tomentosa, Maireana brevifolia and Maireana georgei) when growing within and outside of the canopy of Atriplex bunburyana under field conditions. All three chenopods had lower cover and E. tomentosa was taller when growing within the canopy of A. bunburyana in comparison to those growing outside of the canopy. The chenopods were then grown under three artificial shade regimes. Plant height, cover, biomass, relative leaf area and photosynthetic surface area measurements showed that each species responded differently to shade. E. tomentosa biomass was facilitated by shade. This was inferred by an increase in total plant biomass. M. brevifolia, in contrast, tolerated shade by increasing above-ground biomass allocation. M. georgei was adversely affected by the shade regimes: root biomass decreased in response to shade. Competition for light is, therefore, likely to influence chenopod community structure of semi-arid and arid environments.     

The diet of the Long-eared Owls, Asio otus, in the desert of northwest China

The contents of regurgitated Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) pellets collected in Minqin Desert Experimental Research Station of northwestern China were analysed. A total of 303 individuals representing five species of rodents and one of bird were identified in the pellets. By frequency, the most common species taken by Long-eared Owls was Meriones meridianus, followed by Cricetulus barabensis and Phodopus roborovskii. By biomass, Meriones meridianus was the most important species taken, followed by C. barabensis and Rhombomys opimus. Our results suggest that the Long-eared Owls were nocturnal hunters and fed on a wide range of animals with respect to their habitats.     

Effect of fire on growth of three perennial grasses from central semi-arid Argentina

The effect of fire on growth of Piptochaetium napostaense, Stipa tenuis, and Stipa gynerioides, three important native perennial grasses in the semi-arid region of central Argentina, was evaluated under different fire temperature regimes: 300–400°C (low temperature regime), 500–600°C (high temperature regime) and no fire (control). Fire treatments were applied with a portable propane plant burner in April and December 1994, May 1995, and January 1996. Overall results indicate that during the first months after fire occurrence, average total green length of S. tenuis, P. napostaense and S. gynerioides tillers was severely reduced (p<0.05) by fire. This effect was more pronounced in plants burned with the high temperature treatment. The observed patterns of response to fire for height of tillers were very similar to those already reported for total green length of tillers. Towards the end of each growth cycle, the number of green leaves per tiller of burned plants of P. napostaense, S. tenuis, and S. gynerioides were similar or greater (p<0.05) than the number of green leaves on tillers of control plants. Relative growth rates for total green length and for height in tillers of burned plants of S. tenuis, P. napostaense and S. gynerioides were greater than in tillers of control plants. Our results indicate that fire affected differentially the growth of the studied species; S. gynerioides was more affected by fire than P. napostaense and S. tenuis. The species most tolerant to fire was P. napostaense.     

Reproductive and recruitment traits as indicators of the invasive potential of Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Crassulaceae) and Stapelia gigantea (Apocynaceae) in a Neotropical arid zone

Populations of two ornamental exotic species, Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Stapelia gigantea, have been recently detected inside a protected area containing arid ecosystems in Venezuela. We indirectly tested their invasive potential by characterizing their reproductive biology and recruitment patterns and comparing our estimates against Baker's Law and reproductive profiles reported for invasive plants. K. daigremontiana is autogamous, produces >16,000 seeds per plant and also reproduces clonally. Despite low seed viability (17.9%) and germination rates (11.9%), seeds were present in the seed bank. Plantlets of asexual origin showed high survival (75–100%) compared to seedlings of sexual origin (10%). S. gigantea is self-incompatible, xenogamous and produces close to 1500 seeds per m² of plant tissue. Seed viability (77%) and germination rates (62%) were high, but this species is not represented in the seed bank. It has a vegetative growth. A combination of reproductive and recruitment attributes, which match those considered in Baker's Law and others reported for invasive plants, confer K. daigremontiana and S. gigantea the potential to invade Neotropical arid zones; the former mainly through selfing and production of numerous asexual plantlets, and the latter through an association with a locally abundant pollinator and production of wind dispersed seeds.     

Calcium levels in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis> ephippia cannot provide a useful paleolimnological indicator of historical lakewater Ca concentrations

Despite reductions in atmospheric sulphur emissions and the resulting decline in acidic deposition, many lakes on the Canadian Shield that have experienced acidification are either recovering at a rate slower than expected or not recovering at all. This lack of recovery is believed to be partly the consequence of the depletion of exchangeable base cations (principally calcium, Ca) from watershed soils. Although the implications of reduced Ca availability for biological communities remain poorly understood, the effects on crustacean zooplankton populations may be severe, as Ca is the primary structural component of the crustacean zooplankton exoskeleton. Because the daphniid resting egg is protected by a modified portion of the exoskeleton (ephippia) and because these ephippia are well preserved in lake sediments, we investigated whether inter-specific differences in Ca content are recoverable from Daphnia ephippia. However, using two methods, we did not find a recoverable Ca signal in the ephippia, indicating that future efforts should be focused upon sedimentary taxonomic assemblage differences, not differences in ephippial Ca levels.     

Characterization of the halophilic archaeal community in saltern crystallizer ponds by means of polar lipid analysis

Saltern crystallizer ponds are coloured red due to the presence of dense communities of red halophilic archaea (family Halobacteriaceae). Little quantitative information exists on the species distribution within the archaeal community in such ponds. As the different genera of the Halobacteriaceae differ in polar lipid content, and especially in the types of glycolipids, lipid analysis can be used to obtain information on the nature of the organisms present. Analysis of the polar lipids extracted from the biomass collected from the saltern crystallizer ponds in Eilat, Israel, showed one major glycolipid to be present, co-chromatographing with the sulfated diglycosyl diether lipid characteristic of the genusHaloferax. No indications were found for the presence of significant amounts of those glycolipids that would indicate the presence of large numbers of other archaea such asHalobacterium species (H. cutirubrum andH. salinarium, characterized by sulfated triglycosyl and tetraglycosyl diethers), orHaloarcula species (possessing a triglycosyl diether). Phosphatidyl glycerosulfate, a polar lipid absent inHaloferax species, was present in the lipid extract from the crystallizer ponds, suggesting that the dominant microorganism present may be related to strains which are presently classified in the genusHalobacterium but are awaiting a taxonomic reappraisal (H. sodomense, H. saccharovorum, andH. trapanicum). Organisms of the latter group are characterized by sulfated diglycosyl diethers, and the presence of phosphatidyl glycerosulfate. Attempts to isolate the dominant type of bacterium on agar plates yielded relatively low counts (1–2 orders of magnitude lower than the numbers observed microscopically) of bacteria, and most of the isolates had a polar lipid composition characteristic of theH. salinarium group or theH. sodomense-H. saccharovorum-H. trapanicum group.     

Horizontal and vertical zones of influence for root systems of four Mojave Desert shrubs

Horizontal and vertical zones of influence for root systems of four Mojave Desert shrubs were characterized using ³²P as a nutrient tracer. Larrea tridentata's horizontal zone of influence was sparse near the plant's stem base, with a maximum probability of accessing ³²P (P_max) of 41%. However, its horizontal zone of influence extended beyond 5 m, and the distance from the stem base at which the probability of accessing ³²P was half P_max (L₅₀3 m) was significantly greater than the other three shrubs. Ambrosia dumosa's zone of influence was dense near the plant's stem base (P_max78%), but was rare at distances >2 m (L₅₀1 m). Zones of influence for Lycium andersonii and Lycium pallidum were intermediate between those of L. tridentata and A. dumosa. For vertical zones of influence, L. tridentata was more likely to obtain ³²P from 5 m soil depths than A. dumosa, but L. pallidum was not significantly different from either A. dumosa or L. tridentata. Horizontal zones of influence did not change with treatments that altered soil water and nitrogen availability, but vertical zones of influence increased with a flood irrigation treatment that increased water availability to 5 m soil depth. These differences among species likely reflect compromises between their shoot growth strategies and their need to acquire spatially and temporally limited soil resources, especially through competitive interactions.