Seasonal change mediates the shift between resource and pollen limitation in Hedysarum scoparium (Fabaceae)

Theory suggests that with sufficient environmental variation, pollen limitation might be observed at some places or times, and resource limitation at others, but there are no empirical data about the effect of seasonal change on the variation of pollen limitation and resource limitation within a flowering season. In this study, we examined pollen and resource limitation by comparing fruit set and seed production in natural- and hand-pollinated Hedysarum scoparium flowers in the middle reaches of the Hexi Corridor region, China, in 2010. We also described a role for the first substantial autumn rainfall in mediating a shift between pollen and resource limitation in H. scoparium, but did not analyze this experimentally. Our results indicated that H. scoparium was resource limited at peak flowering during the summer, and was pollen limited at peak flowering during the autumn. The seasonal change (summer to autumn) mediated the shift between pollen and resource limitations in H. scoparium. The shift timing depended on the date of the first autumn rainfall in 2010. Changes in the first substantial rainfall in autumn may affect fruiting of H. scoparium, thus affecting population persistence of this species and development/structure of the local ecosystem if such conditions persist.     

Feeding ecology of the Andean hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga) in areas under different land use in north-western Patagonia

We studied the feeding ecology of the Andean hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga) in three areas with different land use in Patagonia. Two areas were heavily grazed by sheep or horses and wild exotic herbivores and the third area was lightly grazed by cattle. In each area, we assessed skunk diet, prey abundance and carrion availability. Skunks were generalist feeders, with invertebrates composing the bulk of their diet, but also consumed small vertebrates and carrion. Differences in diet composition were found among areas, mainly because skunks consumed more beetle larvae in the sheep area and more cricetines and spiders in the exotic-herbivore area. All prey but rodents were significantly more abundant in spring and summer than in fall and winter, but skunk diets were similar among seasons. In the sheep area, where the soil was most disturbed, we found reduced abundances of invertebrate prey and rodents. High consumption of beetles during autumn and winter when these were least abundant and in the sheep area indicates that skunks had a preference for beetles and their larvae. We conclude that Andean hog-nosed skunks in Patagonia might be negatively affected by reductions of their main prey due to soil and plant alterations by livestock.     

Isotopic composition of carbon and oxygen in desert fauna: investigations into the effects of diet, physiology, and seasonality

Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of bone apatite were measured in 14 endothermic and ectothermic vertebrates native to the Chihuahuan Desert and collected in June and July of 1999 and 2000. The δ⁸O values of most reptiles were very high, up to 44‰ (standard mean ocean water (SMOW), some of the highestδ¹⁸ O values ever measured for an animal. The δ¹⁸O values of rodents and birds were lower (32±5‰ vSMOW), and the earless lizard Holbrookia maculata were the lowest of all species analysed (25‰). Omnivorous grasshopper mice (Onychomys torridus) had lower δ¹⁸O values than granivorous rodents. Results from oxygen analysis likely reflect variation in diet and body water flux differences between endotherms and ectotherms. Carbon isotope analysis revealed a dramatic shift in diet from C₃ plants in 1999 to C₄ plants in 2000 in most rodents and birds. Kangaroo rats and reptiles did not change, having a constantδ¹³ C value indicative of a C₃-based diet in both years. This suggests reliance on winter annual plant seed caches for kangaroo rats, but not other rodents. The carbon isotope data can be explained in terms of seasonal differences within and between years in the timing and intensity of the seasonal rainfall events, and the productivity of summer and winter annual plants. This study illustrates that stable isotope analysis is a powerful method for tracking dietary change and feeding behavior in desert vertebrates.     

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.     

青藏高原近40年来的降水变化特征

利用我国青藏高原地区的1961-2000年56个气象站的逐月降水资料,通过计算降水量的距平百分率,分析了青藏高原自1961至2000年以来降水量变化的趋势和1961-2000年以来各季降水量变化趋势,发现:青藏高原近40年来降水量呈增加趋势,降水量的线性增长率约为1.12mm/a。再将高原划分为四个季节,分析了各季40年来的降水量的变化情况得出:春季降水量年际变化较大,秋季降水量变化不明显。夏季降水量值较大而降水变化幅度较小,冬季降水量变化则与夏季相反。通过将青藏高原分为南北两个地区,分析了两个区的年降水量和四个季节的降水量的变化得出:高原南区1961-2000年降水量呈增加的趋势,降水量的线增长率为1.97 mm/a,春季和冬季降水量年际变化较大,夏季降水量变化不明显,秋季降水量略有增加;北区年降水量和夏季的降水量变化较小,秋季降水量的年际变化较大,冬季降水量变化最大。对青藏高原的南北两区用Mann-Kendall方法进行突变分析,显示高原南区分别在1978年和1994年发生突变,北区没有发现突变。     

南极沿海伯尔顿盐湖双刺镰状水蚤种群生态及其与盐湖环境的关系

对南极沿海伯尔顿盐湖浮游桡足类双刺镰状水蚤(Drepanopus bispinosus)种群生态进行了全年连续观察和研究,结果表明,该水蚤为一年一代,其个体发育周期,雄性约为10～12个月,雌性约为12～18个月。种群密度随季节不同而差异较大,其成体高密度期约在6～9月份,幼体高密度期大约在11～12月份,主要为无节幼体,桡足幼体Ⅰ期的高密度期出现在1月份。该水蚤繁殖期大约从6月至翌年1月,期间出现两次生殖高峰,7～8月为前一高峰期,所出现的无节幼体受环境因子主要是湖中食物和含氧量不足的影响而不能继续发育至桡足幼体Ⅰ期以上的阶段,后一高峰大约在10～12月,所出期的无节幼体能继续发育至桡足幼体各期直至成体。伯尔顿湖双刺镰状水蚤种群生态特征及其出现两次生殖高峰的现象,可能与该湖环境的季节变化有关。     

青藏高原强降水日数的时空分布特征

 根据青海和西藏48个气象台站近48 a（1961-2008年）的逐日降水和气温资料,分别以日降水量超过5 mm和25 mm作为冬半年（11月～翌年3月）和夏半年（5～9月）强降水的临界值,分析了青藏高原冬、夏半年强降水日数的时空分布特征。结果表明：（1）高原强降水日数与总降水量的空间分布型非常相似,夏半年均表现为由东南向西北递减,而冬半年则为由高原腹地向四周递减。（2）夏（冬）半年强降水主要集中在7月上旬～8月中旬（11月上旬和3月中下旬）。（3）夏（冬）半年强降水存在准6 a（5～6 a）的年际振荡以及准10～11 a（15 a）的年代际振荡。（4）强降水日数变化趋势的空间差异较大,夏半年高原北（南）部强降水日数普遍以增加（减少）趋势为主,而冬半年除雅鲁藏布江流域呈减少趋势外,高原大多数地区均表现出显著增加趋势。     

塔克拉玛干地区气候变化对全球变暖的响应

从地面水汽压(大气含水量)、平均风速、湿润指数、相对湿度和气压的角度分析在全球变暖的情况下,塔克拉玛干地区气候的年和季节变化特征,结果表明:①年和四季平均风速呈阶梯式下降趋势,具有显著减小的线性趋势,并于1973年发生了由大到小的突变。②夏、秋、冬季和年地面水汽压(大气含水量)自20世纪80年代以来呈较大幅度波动式上升,具有显著的线性增加趋势。夏、秋季地面水汽压于1969年和1973年发生了由少到多的突变。秋、冬季大气含水量的显著增加并没有导致降水量的增加,降水量的变化不能充分反映大气含水量的变化。③夏季湿润指数有显著增加趋势,春季有微弱的上升趋势,而降水量夏季和年有显著增加趋势,春季有微弱的上升趋势,说明综合反映气候干湿变化的湿润指数变化与单用降水量表示的气候干湿变化不完全一致。④夏、秋季和年相对湿度呈波动式上升趋势,夏季和年相对湿度分别于1970年和1974年发生了由低到高的突变。⑤年和四季的平均气压40a来无变化。     

Feeding habits of harp and hooded seals in drift ice waters along the east coast of Greenland in summer and winter

Results of analyses of stomach and intestinal contents from hooded ( Cystophora cristata ) and harp ( Phoca groenlandica ) seals captured in the pack ice belt of the Greenland Sea in summer (July-August) in 2000 and winter (February-March) in 2001 revealed that the diet of both species were comprised of relatively few prey taxa. Pelagic amphipods of the genus Parathemisto , the squid Gonatus fabricii , polar cod ( Boreogadus saida ) and capelin ( Mallotus villosus ) constituted 63-99% of the observed diet biomass in both seal species, irrespective of sampling period, but their relative contribution to the diet varied both with species and sampling period/area. For hooded seals, G. fabricii and capelin were the dominant food items in winter 2001, but the summer 2000 diet comprised a mixture of this squid and polar cod. Parathemisto was most important for the harp seals during summer 2000; in winter 2001 the contribution from krill and capelin were comparable to that of Parathemisto . Multivariate analyses revealed differences in the intestinal contents of hooded and harp seals in areas where the two species' occurrence spatially overlapped. Different foraging depths of the two species may have contributed to the observed differences in diets.     

新疆大气可降水量的气候特征及其变化

利用1961—2000年NCEP/NCAR再分析逐日资料,分析了新疆地区不同季节大气可降水量（APW）的气候分布特征和变化趋势。结果表明:新疆夏季APW小于季风区界限25 mm,从该角度表明新疆为非季风区。APW空间分布呈塔里木盆地和准格尔盆地为高值区,海拔高的阿勒泰山、天山和昆仑山为低值区。APW夏季最大,但小于同纬度东部季风区,春、秋次之,冬季最少,春、秋和冬季APW与同纬度东部季风接近。APW的地理分布与实际降水量分布相反,其最大（最小）区域却为降水量最小（最大）区,受西风带影响,新疆APW模态主要表现全疆一致变化,分布稳定,与降水模态分布差异性大有显著不同,且近40 a来无显著变化趋势,表明决定新疆降水差异的根本原因不在于水汽的多少,而是由降水产生的动力条件、水汽辐合和其他因素差异决定的。     

The value of a physically based model versus an empirical approach in the prediction of ephemeral gully erosion for loess-derived soils

A data set on soil losses and controlling factors for 58 ephemeral gullies has been collected in the Belgian loess belt from March 1997 to March 1999. Of the observed ephemeral gullies, 32 developed at the end of winter or in early spring (winter gullies) and 26 ephemeral gullies developed during summer (summer gullies). The assessed data have been used to test the physically based Ephemeral Gully Erosion Model (EGEM) and to compare its performance with the value of simple topographical and morphological indices in the prediction of ephemeral gully erosion.Analysis shows that EGEM is not capable of predicting ephemeral gully cross-sections well. Although conditions for input parameter assessment were ideal, some parameters such as channel erodibility, critical flow shear stress and local rainfall depth showed great uncertainty. Rather than revealing EGEM's inability of predicting ephemeral gully erosion, this analysis stresses the problematic nature of physically based models, since they often require input parameters that are not available or can hardly be obtained.With respect to the value of simple topographical and morphological indices in predicting ephemeral gully erosion, this study shows that for winter gullies and summer gullies, respectively, over 80% and about 75% of the variation in ephemeral gully volume can be explained when ephemeral gully length is known. Moreover, when previously collected data for ephemeral gullies in two Mediterranean study areas and the data for summer gullies formed in the Belgian loess belt are pooled, it appears that one single length (L)–volume (V) relation exists (V=0.048 L^1.29; R²=0.91). These findings imply that predicting ephemeral gully length is a valuable alternative for the prediction of ephemeral gully volume. A simple procedure to predict ephemeral gully length based on topographical thresholds is presented here. Secondly, the empirical length–volume relation can also be used to convert ephemeral gully length data extracted from aerial photos into ephemeral gully volumes.     

Seasonal distribution of harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) in the Barents Sea

The distributional patterns of Barents Sea harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) throughout the year are presented based on existing literature and recent Norwegian and Russian field observations. The harp seals breed in February-March in the White Sea. Moulting occurs during April to June in the White Sea and southern Barents Sea. Feeding.behaviour is closely related to the configuration and localisation of the drifting sea-ice during summer and autumn (June-October) when the seals follow the receding ice edge, retiring gradually northwards and northeastwards in the Barents Sea. The southward movement of the population in autumn probably takes place in November prior to the advance of the ice edge, and is likely related to food-search. Apparently, most Barents Sea harp seals seems to concentrate at the southern end of their range in winter and spring.     

The summer diet of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) in the desert of north-west China

The summer diet of Little Owls (Athene noctua) in Minqin Desert Experimental Research Station of northwestern China was analysed. A total of 293 individuals representing seven species of rodents, one bird, three reptiles, two families of invertebrates and unidentified invertebrates were identified in 113 pellets and 29 prey remains collected during June and July of 2005. By frequency, invertebrates constituted 77.5% of the diet, mammals 17.8%, reptiles 3.8% and birds 1.0%. In term of biomass consumption, mammals comprised 93.7% of the diet, invertebrates 3.9%, birds 1.9% and reptiles 1.1%. The results suggested that the Little Owls were active at day and night and fed mainly on rodents and beetles related to the desert habitats.     

Assessing bias in diet methods for the Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus

We analysed diet data in a Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus population using four different methods (direct observations, pellets, prey remains and combined pellets and prey remains) from Cyprus, during 2005–2007. Direct observations can provide reliable diet information. However, the small sample size of monitored nests, the subjective selection of accessible nests, the differential prey size deliveries by different sexes, and the different recognition of different prey species could involve biases, therefore accounting for the low dietary breadth. Prey remains differed significantly from pellet analysis due to more birds and fewer lizards, but the broadest trophic spectrum was obtained. Pellets analysis failed to detect small-sized prey items, but provided a high number of species present in the diet. Pellets and pooled data corresponded closely with the results of direct observations. Pooling data from pellets and prey remains overcame the problems associated with these two methods and revealed a high diet diversity and a great similarity to direct observations. Our results suggest that the pooled data method will be effective for monitoring dietary trends in the breeding and non-breeding Long-legged Buzzard population.     

隔离降雨对杉木林土壤可溶性有机碳和微生物生物量碳的影响

通过在亚热带杉木林内设置不同隔离降雨强度试验:完全隔离降雨、隔离60%降雨、隔离20%降雨和对照(自然降雨),研究隔离降雨对0~20 cm土层可溶性有机碳(DOC)和微生物生物量碳(MBC)含量的影响,结果表明:0~10 cm和10~20 cm土层,除完全隔离降雨处理土壤DOC峰值出现在春季外,其他处理均出现在秋季。0~10 cm土层中完全隔离降雨和隔离60%降雨处理的土壤MBC峰值出现在春季,而隔离20%降雨和对照的则出现在夏季,10~20 cm土层各处理对应的MBC最大值分别出现在春季、夏季、夏季和秋季。随着土层加深,4种处理土壤DOC、MBC含量均显著降低。0~10 cm土层,完全隔离降雨处理的土壤DOC、隔离60%降雨土壤MBC均与土壤含水量显著正相关,杉木林土壤DOC和MBC对降水变化响应具有明显的季节性。     

Comparative hydrological behaviour of two small catchments in semi-arid Zimbabwe

This paper describes and compares the hydrological responses of runoff, soil moisture and groundwater levels to rainfall events for two small semi-arid catchments over a 2-year period. Romwe received 1430 and 756 mm of rainfall in the 19999/00 and 2000/01 season, respectively. Mutangi received 756 and 615 mm of rainfall in the same years. Romwe generated 520 and 102 mm of runoff in the 19999/00 and 2000/01 seasons, respectively, while Mutangi generated 82 and 69 mm of runoff in the same years. The runoff response of the catchments was dominated by a relatively quick response to rainfall and with little or no significant contribution from regional groundwater or ‘old water’ sources. Total soil moisture storage to a depth of 120 cm was higher at Romwe than Mutangi for the entire study period reflecting the differences in the soil types. The groundwater level was closer to the surface and responded more quickly to rainfall at Romwe compared to Mutangi where water levels were between 12 and 16 m below the surface. There was a significant relationship between profile soil moisture and water table level at Romwe and none was observed at all in Mutangi. Significant (p<0.05) monthly rainfall runoff relationships were observed at both Romwe and Mutangi. At Romwe and Mutangi 91% and 76% of the runoff variation was accounted for by rainfall in the 1999/00 season, respectively. The rainfall–runoff relationship were different at Romwe for the two seasons, it was higher in the 1999/00 season than the 2000/01 season when 91% and 49% of the runoff variation was due to rainfall, respectively. The relationships were almost similar at Mutangi during the two seasons.     

The effect of rainfall and habitat on abundance and diversity of birds in a fenced protected area in the central Saudi Arabian desert

Factors influencing avian abundance and diversity in central Saudi Arabia were investigated over a 28-month period using walked belt transects in five local habitat types in a 2200 km²fenced desert protected area established in 1989. Enclosure of the protected area has resulted in the development of a mosaic of densely vegetated grassland and savanna areas amongst the sand and gravel plains which dominate the surrounding landscape. Overall bird diversity showed biannual peaks corresponding to spring and autumn passage migration, when 30–40 species were recorded; troughs occurred in summer or winter (9–12 species) following poor spring or autumn rains. Bird numbers responded dramatically to heavy rainfall (> 20 mm in a month) occurring two months earlier, with major peaks recorded in autumn 1992 and May–June 1994. Numbers of granivorous species, principally larks, fluctuated mostly in relation to rainfall, whereas largely insectivorous species tended to remain more stable. A desert locust plague in spring/summer 1993, combined with poor spring rains, resulted in the lowest numbers and species diversity recorded during the study.     

Perspectives on survival, phenology, litter fall and decomposition, and caloric content ofAvicennia marinain the Arabian Gulf region

This study was conducted on a naturally growing population in Al-Khor mangrove swamps in Qatar during the years 1993–1995.Avicennia marinais the only mangrove species growing in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf region. The survivorship curve showed that early reproductive stages, starting from flower buds to seedlings, are at-risk relative to juvenile and adult individuals. The survival of adult plants is age-dependent. The phenological cycle indicated that the reproductive period extends from April to October, while vegetative activity occurs throughout the year with minimum growth during late autumn and early winter. Productivity estimated from litter fall showed considerable differences between seasons. Litter fall is bimodal, with the first peak prior to the start of the reproductive cycle and the second peak before the end of summer or early autumn. Total litter fall decreased from a maximum of 188 g m⁻²month⁻¹to a minimum of 80 g m⁻²month⁻¹. Litter decomposition was lower in winter than in the summer months. Calorific content of the decomposing litter was consistent with over 90% of litter energy lost over a 1-year period. The calorific content of buried leaves decreased from 6.0585 kcal g⁻¹dry weight to 0.0532 kcal g⁻¹dry weight after 1 year. Major human impacts on mangrove ecosystems in the region include oil pollution, solid and liquid waste disposal, coastal development, marine dredging, recreation activities, overgrazing, wood harvest, diversion of fresh water runoff and pest control.     

Flooding 1990s along the Yangtze River, has it concern of global warming?

There were a series of severe floods along the middle to lower reaches of the Yangtze River (Changjiang River) in China during the 1990s. The extensive summer (June, July and August) precipitation is mostly responsible for the flooding. The summer rainfall in the 1980s and the 1990s is much higher than that in the previous 3 decades. The means for 1990-1999 is +87.62 mm above normal, marked the 1990s the wettest decade since the 1950s. Six stations with a time span of 1880-1999 are selected to establish century -long rainfall series. This series also shows that the 1990s is the wettest decade during the last 120 years. In the wettest 12 years, four occurred in the 1990s (1991,1996,1998 and 1999). Both global and China’s temperature show there is a relative lower air temperature during the 1960-1970s, and a rapid warming in the 1980-1990s. Comparisons of rainfall between 1960-1979 and 1980-1999 show there are dramatic changes. In the cold period 1960-1979, the summer rainfall along the Yangtze River is 3.8 % to 4.7 % below the normal, during the warm period 1980-1999, over 8.4 % to 18.2 % of summer rainfall occurs. Over the whole eastern China, the summer rainfall shows opposite spatial patterns from the 1960-1970s to 1980-1990s. The consistent trend toward more rainfall with global warming is also presented by the greenhouse scenario modeling. A millennial Drought/flood Index for the middle to lower reaches of the Yangtze River showed that although the surplus summer rainfall in the 1990s is the severest during the past 150 years, it is not outstanding in the context of past millennium. Power spectra of the Drought/flood Index show significant interdecadal periods at 33.3 and 11.8 years. Thus, both the natural inter-decadal variations and the global warming may play important roles in the frequent floods witnessed during the last two decades.     

1979-2012年北极海冰范围年际和年代际变化分析

利用美国冰雪中心发布的海冰密集度数据,对1979—2012年北极海冰范围进行年际和年代际变化分析。结果表明:(1)海冰在秋季融化速度最快,其次为夏季、冬季、春季。2000年后春季下降速率变缓,而其他季节融化速度加快;(2)由于多年冰的融化,太平洋扇区在夏秋季节融化速度要高于其他海区。而大西洋扇区在冬季和春季海冰的融化速度要快于夏秋季节,主要是因为大西洋海温升高;(3)东半球在夏秋季节海冰融化的范围要大于西半球,因此东北航道比西北航道提前开通应用。而整个北极区域近几年春季融化速度变缓,则主要是西半球的作用;(4)从空间分布年代际变化来看,1989—1998年最接近气候态,1979—1988年密集度偏大区域主要在巴伦支海和东西伯利亚海,2009—2012年海冰密集度较常年显著偏小,东半球密集度减小幅度比西半球更大,尤其是冬春季在巴伦支海,夏秋季在楚科奇海。春季时由于风的作用,白令海附近海冰密集度异常偏大;(5)北极区域海冰范围在冬春季比夏秋季突变明显,基本在2003年前后,海冰范围变化周期为6年。