Survival of an invasive aquatic snail to overland translocation in non-aquatic media: Implications for spreading

Invasive species are a threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Aquatic snails have a limited ability for an active dispersal. Therefore, their ability to survive to transport in non-aquatic media may help explain their spread across unconnected habitats. We assessed the ability of New Zealand Mud Snail (NZMS) (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) to survive attached to different materials. Two studies were conducted: (1) a laboratory study to assess the tolerance of a laboratory population of NZMS to non-aquatic media attaching snails to leaf litter, sediment and clay and (2) a field-laboratory study to assess the survival of an invasive field population after being left imbedded in clay in the laboratory and subsequently transferred to a new river reach. All laboratory animals died after 3 days in leaf litter, while in the case of sediment and clay all snails died after 5 days. After being imbedded in clay and subsequently transferred to the river, the survival of the field population was lower than that of the laboratory populations. We conclude that NZMS can be dispersed by mechanisms which imply spending some time in non-aquatic media, and that this species has a relatively high tolerance to translocation between reaches with contrasting environmental properties.     

On the potential of plant species invasion influencing bio‐geomorphologic landscape formation in salt marshes

Species invasions are known to change biotic and abiotic ecosystem characteristics such as community structure, cycling of materials and dynamics of rivers. However, their ability to alter interactions between biotic and abiotic ecosystem components, in particular bio‐geomorphic feedbacks and the resulting landscape configuration in tidal wetlands, such as tidal channels have not yet been demonstrated. We studied the impact of altered bio‐geomorphic feedbacks on geomorphologic features (i.e. tidal wetland channels), by comparing proxies for channel network geometry (unchanneled flow lengths, fractal dimension) over time between non‐invaded and invaded salt marsh habitats. The non‐invaded habitats (the south of eastern Chongming Island, Yangtze estuary, China) show little change in network geometry over time with a tendency for an increased drainage density. The invaded site (salt marshes in the north of eastern Chongming Island invaded by the exotic plant species Spartina alterniflora) showed a decreasing tendency in channel drainage density throughout and after the species invasion. This suggests that species invasions might not only affect biotic ecosystem characteristics, but also their ability to change bio‐geomorphic feedback loops, potentially leading to changes in existing geomorphologic features and therefore landscape configuration. Our results further suggest that the species invasion also altered sediment composition. Based on observations we propose a mechanism explaining the change in channel drainage density by an alteration in plant properties. The physical and physiological characteristics of the invading species Spartina alterniflora clearly differ from the native species Scirpus mariqueter, inducing different bio‐geomorphic feedback loops leading to the observed change in salt marsh channel configuration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

洞头列岛及邻近海域大型底栖动物群落结构的研究

为了解洞头列岛及邻近海域大型底栖动物的群落结构特征,于2015年4月在该海域布设35个站位进行大型底栖动物调查采样,并获取相关环境资料,分析了该海域大型底栖动物的群落结构及其与环境因子的关系。共鉴定出大型底栖动物122种,其中多毛类57种,甲壳动物34种,软体动物19种,棘皮动物5种,其它类动物7种。各调查站位大型底栖动物物种数目在1~22种之间,瓯江口附近站位物种数较少。大型底栖动物平均生物量为3.35 g/m²,平均栖息密度为321个/m²。多毛类具有种数上的优势,软体动物具有生物量和密度上的优势。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Pielou均匀度指数的平均值分别为1.29、2.45和0.66。通过聚类分析和多维尺度排序分析将该海域大型底栖动物划分为3个群落:异蚓虫-薄云母蛤-绒毛细足蟹-不倒翁虫群落(群落Ⅰ),薄云母蛤-异蚓虫-双鳃内卷齿蚕-不倒翁虫群落(群落Ⅱ)和其他群落(群落Ⅲ)。典范对应分析表明,影响大型底栖动物群落的主要环境因子有底层海水的温度、盐度、活性磷酸盐、活性硅酸盐、溶解性无机氮、化学需氧量以及表层沉积物中的总有机碳等。ABC曲线分析结果表明,大型底栖动物群落受到了一定程度的扰动,但基本稳定。与历史资料相比,大型底栖动物的栖息密度和生物量均无明显变化,种类组成由以多毛类和软体动物为主转变为以多毛类和甲壳动物为主,且个体较大的棒锥螺大量死亡。     

2015年春、秋季瓯江口鱼卵和仔稚鱼生态分布

为了解瓯江口海域鱼卵和仔稚鱼的生态分布现状,分别于2015年4月和10月在该海域开展生态调查。春、秋两季共采集到鱼卵42粒,仔稚鱼295尾;共鉴定出鱼卵和仔稚鱼16种,分别隶属于8目14科15属,其中鲈形目种类最多。春季鱼卵、仔稚鱼物种数和丰度均远高于秋季。春季鱼卵优势种为斑鰶Konosirus punctatus,秋季为舌鳎属未定种Cynoglossus sp.;春季仔稚鱼优势种为鮻Liza haematocheila、花鲈Lateolabrax japonicus和矛尾鰕虎鱼Chaeturichthys stigmatias,秋季为侧带小公鱼属未定种Stolephorus sp.。瓯江口海域春季鱼卵和仔稚鱼的丰度高值区均位于大门岛周围,该海域应在海洋生态红线划定时予以考虑,秋季则相对分散在较外侧海域。春季仔稚鱼数量分布与盐度和营养盐有极显著相关性。与20世纪90年代初相比,该海域的鱼卵、仔稚鱼物种及数量均在发生变化,数量略呈下降趋势。与浙江近岸其他海域相比,瓯江口海域的鱼卵、仔稚鱼数量偏低。     

青藏高原东缘高寒草甸退化过程中植物群落物种多样性、生产力与土壤特性的关系

为了阐明高寒草甸退化过程中植物群落物种多样性、生产力与土壤特性的关系, 在青藏高原东缘的玛曲县沿着高寒草甸退化梯度选取了轻度退化草甸、中度退化草甸、重度退化草甸和沙化草甸, 测定了高寒草甸退化过程中植物群落物种多样性、生产力与土壤理化性状. 结果表明: 从轻度退化到中度、重度和沙化草甸, 植被地下生物量分别降低了36%、48%和91%, 总生物量分别降低了34%、47%和91%, 土壤有机碳分别下降了18%、81%和97%, 全N分别下降了25%、82%和95%, 全P含量分别下降了14%、33%和41%. 随着高寒草甸的退化, 植被群落的生物多样性和地上生物量呈先稳定后降低的趋势, 土壤砂粒含量、pH值和全K含量呈增加趋势, 黏粉粒呈降低趋势, 速效N、速效P和速效K呈先增加后降低的趋势. 相关分析表明, 群落物种多样性和生产力与土壤有机碳、全N、全P、速效N、速效P、速效K、黏粒含量、粉粒含量、水分含量均呈显著正相关(P<0.01), 而与土壤砂粒、全K和pH值均呈显著负相关(P<0.05). 因此, 高寒草甸退化过程中, 土壤质地、养分和水分等的复杂变化及其相互关系共同决定着高寒草甸群落物种多样性和生产力的变化. 同时, 植被生产力和土壤碳、氮的降低产生明显的正反馈效应, 导致在重度退化阶段和沙化阶段, 植被生产力和土壤碳氮的急剧下降.     

海岸沙地生态系统服务功能研究进展与展望

海岸沙地生态系统是海岸带陆地、海洋和大气交互作用形成的典型生态系统,具有重要的服务功能和价值。本文通过对国内外文献进行综述,认为海岸沙地生态系统主要具有3个功能:(1)海岸地区的天然防护屏障; (2)生物多样性的保护基地; (3)滨海旅游服务的基础。探讨了海岸沙地受到破坏的主要原因及其保护面临的挑战,认为海岸沙地生态系统服务价值评估的不确定性以及构成的不对称性,是其保护面临的最大挑战。未来需要加强对海岸沙地生态系统服务价值的准确评估,在此基础上制定合理的保护政策,将海岸沙地的保护和开发结合起来,充分发挥海岸沙地生态系统的服务功能,为海岸地区的可持续发展提供依据。     

沙埋对河西走廊4种旱生植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

测定了驼蹄瓣(Zygophyllum fabago)、骆驼蒿(Peganum nigellastrum)、唐古特白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)和黒果枸杞(Lycium ruthenicum)等4种旱生植物种子重量、形状、萌发及活性,试验了沙埋深度(0、1、2、3、4、5 cm)对种子萌发、幼苗出土和生长的影响。结果表明:4种植物的种子扩散时为中度休眠;种子活性与重量、形状之间为显著负相关关系(p<0.05);种子初次萌发率与重量之间为不显著负相关关系;大而不规则种子有较低的活性,小种子扩散时有较高萌发率。随沙埋深度的增加,4种植物种子出苗率下降,首次出苗时间推迟,茎高、绝对株高和根长呈现先上升后下降的趋势,地下和地上生物量比值呈先上升后下降或随埋深增加而下降。幼苗出土和生长的最佳沙埋深度是:驼蹄瓣1~3 cm,骆驼蒿0~1 cm,唐古特白刺0~2 cm,黑果枸杞1~2 cm。在植被恢复过程中应考虑破除种子休眠的方法以及浅层沙埋等条件,以提高出苗率、增大幼苗定植率。     

Long-term differences in annual litter production between alien (Sonneratia apetala) and native (Kandelia obovata) mangrove species in Futian,Shenzhen, China

Annual litter production in alien (Sonneratia apetala) and native (Kandelia obovata) mangrove forests in Shenzhen, China were compared from 1999 to 2010. S. apetala had significantly higher litter production than K. obovata, with mean annual total litter of 18.1 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 15.2 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. The higher litter production in S. apetala forest indicates higher productivity and consequently more nutrient supply to the estuarine ecosystems but may be more invasive due to positive plant-soil feedbacks and nutrient availability to this alien species. Two peaks were recorded in S. apetala (May and October), while only one peak was observed in K. obovata, in early spring (March and April). Leaf and reproductive materials were the main contributors to litter production (>80%) in both forests. These results suggest that the ecological function of S. apetala and its invasive potential can be better understood based on a long-term litter fall analysis.     

Measuring bioavailable metals using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and transplanted seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus), blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and sea snails (Littorina saxatilis) suspended from monitoring buoys near a former lead–zinc mine in West Greenland

Measuring loads of bioavailable metals is important for environmental assessment near mines and other industrial sources. In this study, a setup of monitoring buoys was tested to assess loads of bioavailable metals near a former Pb–Zn mine in West Greenland using transplanted seaweed, mussels and sea snails. In addition, passive DGT samplers were installed. After a 9-day deployment period, concentrations of especially Pb, Zn and Fe in the species were all markedly elevated at the monitoring sites closest to the mine. Lead concentrations in all three species and the DGT-Pb results showed a significant linear correlation. Zinc and Fe concentrations were less correlated indicating that the mechanisms for Zn and Fe accumulation in the three species are more complex. The results show that there is still a significant load of metals from the mine and that such buoys can be an adequate method to assess present loads of bioavailable metals.