温度和光照对3种雀麦属(Bromus)植物种子萌发的影响

旱雀麦(Bromus tectorum)原产于欧亚大陆,18世纪传入北美,并成为该地区的入侵植物。然而,同为雀麦属的扁穗雀麦(Bromus catharticus)和无芒雀麦(Bromus inermis)并不具有旱雀麦的入侵性。本研究设置高温、低温和黑暗等处理,探讨温度和光照对3种植物种子萌发的影响,旨在从种子萌发的角度揭示旱雀麦的入侵性。结果表明：温度和光照对旱雀麦和扁穗雀麦种子的发芽率均无明显影响(p>0.05);高温和黑暗处理显著提高了无芒雀麦种子的发芽率(p<0.05),对旱雀麦、扁穗雀麦和无芒雀麦种子的发芽势、发芽指数、日均发芽率、发芽系数、发芽峰值和发芽值有一定的促进作用,而低温处理则表现出相反的效应;高温和黑暗处理对3种植物种子的平均发芽天数和萌发持续时间有一定降低的作用,而低温处理则表现出相反的效应。同一处理下旱雀麦种子萌发各项指标均优于另两种植物,这可能是旱雀麦具有较强入侵性的重要原因。     

Seasonal changes in food uptake by the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus in a farm pond: Evidence from C and N stable isotopes

This study investigated the seasonal changes in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope values of several typical food sources of Apostichopus japonicus in a farm pond, including particulate organic matter (POM), macroalgae, benthic microalgae and animals such as nematode and copepod. The stable isotope technique was used to quantify relative contributions of various sources to the food uptake by A. japonicus. The results showed that significant changes occurred in the C and N stable isotope values of sea cucumber food sources due to the seasonality of micro-or macroalgae prosperity and the fluctuation of environmental conditions. The sea cucumber A. japonicus exhibited corresponding alterations in feeding strategy in response to the changes in food conditions. Calculation with a stable isotope mixing model showed that macroalgae was the principal food source for A. japonicus throughout the 1-yr investigation, with the relative contribution averaging 28.1% - 63.2%. The relative contributions of other food sources such as copepod and nematode, POM, benthic microalgae to the total food uptake by sea cucumber averaged 22.6% - 39.1%, 6.3% - 22.2%, 2.8% - 6.5%, and 2.8% - 4.2%, respectively. Together these results indicated that the seasonal changes in food sources led to the obvious temporal differences in the relative contribution of various food sources utilized by A. japonicus. Such findings provide the basic scientific information for improving the aquaculture techniques of A. japonicus, particularly for optimizing the food environment of A. japonicus culture in farm ponds.     

Availability and use of willow species in representative cold desert areas of northwestern himalaya, India

Willow species(Salix fragilis L.and S.alba L.) are important elements of cold desert agroforestry systems in the Lahaul valley,northwestern Himalaya.Their ability to grow through shoot-cuttings plantations under extreme and xeric climatic conditions of cold deserts,makes them ecologically suited and socially accepted for forestry programmes.Willow species in cold deserts may combat desertification and can thrive well in these areas as compared to any other species.Salix fragilis L.and S.alba L.are under cultivation in the Lahaul valley.However,S.fragilis is widely cultivated under the agroforestry and plantation forestry systems.In the Lahaul valley,willow species are used as subsistence resources and for socio-religious purposes.The present study was carried out to examine the vegetation analysis,density,diversity and distribution of willow species,present status and potential willow plantation sites and uses.The results of present study revealed that a higher species density was recorded at middle altitude villages(Jahlma-3,000 m asl and Hinsa-2,700 m asl),except,a higher density of S.fragilis was at Khoksar(3,200 m asl) in plantation forestry on south-facing slopes.In forests,S.fragilis was planted mainly along the water channels,resulted a low density.The shrubby willow species occurred naturally in the entire Lahaul valley up to an altitude of 3,850 m asl.81% of households felt the scarcity of willow trees,whereas,19% of households were satisfied with the willow trees they owned.The majority of willow species were planted in middle altitudes on privately owned irrigated lands.It was rated most potential prospective willow planting site by the farmers.Small size of land-holdings was one of the main constraints for establishing a large number of willow plantations.Commercial aspects of willow species need to be investigated to encourage the farmers to plant more willows further.     

Organotin levels in Nazaré canyon (west Iberian Margin, NE Atlantic) and adjacent coastal area

Organotin compounds (OTs) are ubiquitous in the marine environment and high concentrations (μg g(-1) range) in sediments from different coastal areas around the world have been reported. However, few reports have described the OTs contamination status in the offshore and deep sea environment. This work investigated organotin levels in Nazaré canyon for the first time. Levels of monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), tributyltin (TBT), diphenyltin (DPT), triphenyltin (TPT), dioctyltin (DOT) and trioctyltin (TOT) were quantified in sediment samples from the upper flanks of the canyon and from the adjacent coastal area. TBT levels detected in the canyon flanks are about two to three orders of magnitude lower than those found in the coastal area. Nevertheless, when quantifiable, TBT levels in the canyon samples were higher than the Environmental Assessment Criteria set for TBT in sediments by the OSPAR Commission indicating that at those locations negative ecological impacts are likely to occur.     

Improved water quality in response to pollution control measures at Masan Bay, Korea

The total pollution load management system (TPLMS) was first applied in 2007 to the highly developed Masan Bay watershed, Korea. To evaluate the effect of TPLMS on water quality improvement, we analyzed the water qualities in rivers and bay during 2005-2010, targeting chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended sediment (SS), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) loads. Land-based pollutant loading all decreased during this period, with a significant reduction in COD and SS loads (p<0.01). The COD reduction in seawater, following the TPLMS implementation, was also significant (p<0.01). Time-lagged responses in COD and Chl-a supported an estimated seawater residence time of ~1 month. Land-based nutrient loads were also significantly reduced for TN (p<0.01) and TP (p<0.05), however, significant reductions were not observed in the bay, indicating potential alternative nutrient inputs from non-point sources into the bay system.     

Satellite imaging coral reef resilience at regional scale. A case-study from Saudi Arabia

We propose a framework for spatially estimating a proxy for coral reef resilience using remote sensing. Data spanning large areas of coral reef habitat were obtained using the commercial QuickBird satellite, and freely available imagery (NASA, Google Earth). Principles of coral reef ecology, field observation, and remote observations, were combined to devise mapped indices. These capture important and accessible components of coral reef resilience. Indices are divided between factors known to stress corals, and factors incorporating properties of the reef landscape that resist stress or promote coral growth. The first-basis for a remote sensed resilience index (RSRI), an estimate of expected reef resilience, is proposed. Developed for the Red Sea, the framework of our analysis is flexible and with minimal adaptation, could be extended to other reef regions. We aim to stimulate discussion as to use of remote sensing to do more than simply deliver habitat maps of coral reefs.     

Bivalve larvae transport and connectivity within the Ahe atoll lagoon (Tuamotu Archipelago), with application to pearl oyster aquaculture management

Patterns of bivalve larvae dispersal in the deep Ahe atoll lagoon was studied by using a numerical 3D transport model (MARS3D) coupled with a vertical swimming sub-model, forced mainly by tide and wind-induced currents. The simulations were validated against observations of larval dispersal monitored several days throughout the lagoon. Connectivity matrices describing larval exchanges inside the lagoon were inferred. Larvae displayed a significant dispersal capacity at the lagoon scale, especially with dominant eastern winds. With southeastern winds, larvae mostly remained in their origin sector. The total export rate of the larvae, toward the ocean through the pass and shallow lagoon borders, was independent of the wind conditions, with 1% of the total concentration exported per day. However, the tide-driven currents efficiently flushed larvae in sectors close to the pass. Connectivity matrices suggest that the south and west sectors were more suitable for spat collecting and that central sectors would be efficient sanctuaries if genitors were accumulated.     

Real-time PCR and NASBA for rapid and sensitive detection of Vibrio cholerae in ballast water

Transport of ballast water is one major factor in the transmission of aquatic organisms, including pathogenic bacteria. The IMO-guidelines of the Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, states that ships are to discharge <1 CFU per 100 ml ballast water of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae, emphasizing the need to establish test methods. To our knowledge, there are no methods sensitive and rapid enough available for cholera surveillance of ballast water. In this study real-time PCR and NASBA methods have been evaluated to specifically detect 1 CFU/100ml of V. cholerae in ballast water. Ballast water samples spiked with V. cholerae cells were filtered and enriched in alkaline peptone water before PCR or NASBA detection. The entire method, including sample preparation and analysis was performed within 7 h, and has the potential to be used for analysis of ballast water for inspection and enforcement control.     

A bioindicator system for water quality on inshore coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef

Responses of bioindicator candidates for water quality were quantified in two studies on inshore coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). In Study 1, 33 of the 38 investigated candidate indicators (including coral physiology, benthos composition, coral recruitment, macrobioeroder densities and FORAM index) showed significant relationships with a composite index of 13 water quality variables. These relationships were confirmed in Study 2 along four other water quality gradients (turbidity and chlorophyll). Changes in water quality led to multi-faceted shifts from phototrophic to heterotrophic benthic communities, and from diverse coral dominated communities to low-diversity communities dominated by macroalgae. Turbidity was the best predictor of biota; hence turbidity measurements remain essential to directly monitor water quality on the GBR, potentially complemented by our final calibrated 12 bioindicators. In combination, this bioindicator system may be used to assess changes in water quality, especially where direct water quality data are unavailable.     

Spatio-temporal diversity of free-living and particle-attached prokaryotes in the tropical lagoon of Ahe atoll (Tuamotu Archipelago) and its surrounding oceanic waters

Spatio-temporal variability of prokaryotic water column communities inside and outside a Polynesian tropical lagoon subjected to pearl oysters farming was assessed in terms of abundance by quantitative PCR and diversity by DGGE. Communities and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were analysed according to dry/rainy seasons and free-living/particle-attached state. Bacterial density was higher in the lagoon compared to ocean and a seasonal trend was observed. No influence of the localisation within lagoon or of the planktonic/attached states was noticed on bacterial abundance and diversity. The OTUs belonged to Cyanobacteria, to heterotrophic groups in Proteobacteria and Flavobacteria. Archaeal abundance showed seasonal tendency and particle-prevalence, but no effect of lagoon or oceanic location was observed. Lagoon and oceanic archaeal diversity were different and Euryarchaeota (MG-II, MBG, and Halobacteria) were detected. During the dry season, planktonic and particle-associated community differed, whereas at rainy season, both communities were similar and included members usually associated with coral.