Spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological variation of waterbird habitats in Dongtan area of Chongming Island

Based on Landsat TM images, we explored the pattern of variation of suitable waterbird habitats from 1990 to 2008 in the Dongtan area of Chongming Island at the Changjiang (Yangtze) River mouth. By applying our highly accurate indicator model (R=0.999, P<0.01), we quantified the variations of fluctuation intensity for local waterbird habitats during 1990-2008, and for the main waterbird groups (Anatidae, Charadriidae, Ardeidae and Laridae) from 2006 to 2008, to evaluate the impact of habitat quantity change on the waterbird habitat status and the population dynamics of the different waterbird groups. The results show that the aquaculture ponds (AP) and the Scirpus mariqueter zone (SMZ) underwent drastic habitat changes during certain periods (AP: 1997-2000, 2000-2003, 2005-2008; SMZ: 1997-2000), and the fluctuation intensity differed among habitat types in the order AP>SMZ>TSH (total suitable habitat)>BSA (bare mud flat and shallow water area). The abandonment of tracts of aquaculture ponds in Dongtan in mid-2006 brought about an intensive population fluctuation, caused by rapidly changing habitat with the population expanding to adjacent areas. At present, Anatidae and Ardeidae are threatened in the Dongtan area with declining populations because of their very "picky" habitat requirements (i.e., high reliance on AP). The Charadriidae experienced enormous population declines in the late 1990s, however, they have since recovered to normal levels as habitat change has stabilized. Our findings suggest that the current challenges for habitat management are the protection and stabilization of AP and SMZ habitats.     

不同电子受体及盐分输入对河口湿地土壤甲烷产生潜力的影响

对闽江河口芦苇(Phragmites australis)湿地土壤甲烷产生潜力及电子受体(硝酸盐,三价铁和硫酸盐)及盐分(氯化钠)输入对其的影响进行了厌氧培养实验及测定。结果表明,芦苇湿地土壤甲烷产生潜力范围是0.0202~0.0871 μg · g^-1 · d^-1,0~10 cm土壤甲烷产生潜力最大;电子受体及盐分的输入对土壤甲烷产生潜力具有抑制作用,3种电子受体对甲烷产生潜力抑制程度从大到小为硝酸盐>三价铁>硫酸盐,不同浓度硝酸盐与三价铁添加后甲烷产生潜力与对照土壤差异显著(P<0.05),而硫酸盐与盐分的添加抑制作用不显著,对于每一种电子受体及盐分其不同浓度处理对甲烷产生潜力的影响差异也不明显(P>0.05)。     

濒危植物四合木生境景观动态及其驱动因子分析

以1977 年MSS 及1990 年、2000 年、2005 年TM 影像数据为基本信息源,运用RS 与GIS 技术,选择若干相 关指标,在系统分析四合木生境景观构成动态变化及其自然与人文驱动因子变化特征的基础上,采用主成分分析 法进行了四合木生境景观动态驱动因子作用强度及其贡献率的定量分析。结果表明：28 年来四合木分布区景观构 成变化较大,其中四合木种群面积不断减少而耕地、城镇、工矿等人工景观类型不断扩张,沙地与其他植被面积扩 展明显,这与研究区旱化趋势加重、人为干扰强度加剧密切相关,且人为因素是造成四合木种群大面积减少及其生 境景观格局变化的主要外因。     

The spatial characterization of turbulence around large roughness elements in a gravel-bed river

This study characterizes the flow field above and around multiple instream submerged cobbles, boulders, and pebble clusters in order to obtain a better understanding of the hydrodynamics associated with large roughness elements (LREs) in gravel-bed rivers. Spatially distributed high frequency, three-dimensional velocity measurements were recorded in situ using acoustic Doppler velocimeters at different flow stages. The spatial distributions of turbulent kinetic energy, k_e, longitudinal component integral timescales, ITS_u, and Reynolds shear stresses were characterized and are presented for selected sites. The longitudinal–vertical Reynolds shear stress increased with flow stage more strongly than the longitudinal–lateral or lateral–vertical Reynolds shear stresses and dominate at the highest measured flows. Canonical redundancy analysis was used to relate LRE morphometrics and mean flow conditions to the turbulence parameters estimated in the LRE wakes (i.e., k_e, ITS_u, and Reynolds shear stresses). LRE size and mean unobstructed velocity explained the highest proportion of the variance in the turbulent wake statistics. Multivariate regression models based on LRE width, mean unobstructed longitudinal velocity and flow depth are presented offering a tool to predict LRE wake turbulence.     

Morphological colour change in the American lobster (Homarus americanus) in response to background colour and UV light

American lobster (Homarus americanus) have a thick calcified cuticle, and do not exhibit rapid colour changes characteristic of other crustaceans. Thus, the plasticity of their coloration has been largely overlooked. Colour in lobsters is determined by the amount, location, and form of the carotenoid pigment astaxanthin, and it is possible for lobsters to alter colour by changing one of these characteristics of astaxanthin deposition. Here, short‐term colour variation in American lobster in response to environmental cues (background colour and ultraviolet (UV) light) was investigated in a laboratory experiment. Lobsters were reared in conditions controlling background colour (white, black) and UV light (present, absent). Digital photographic analysis was used to determine how these conditions influenced the luminescence (light or dark) of lobster colour, as well as the ratio of red to blue hues. Of the environmental variables considered within this experiment, UV light was the predominant factor, and caused lobsters to become darker in colour. In the absence of UV light, lobsters matched background colour, and turned darker in response to the darker background. Environmental matching has practical implications both for wild lobsters as they settle to the benthic habitat, and for enhancement programmes, to grow lobsters that are best suited for local habitats.     

Variation and taxonomic changes in the family Retropinnidae (Salmonoidea)

The family Retropinnidae contains one monotypic genus, Stokellia, in New Zealand, and nine nominal species of Retropinna: five in New Zealand, three in Australia, and one on Chatham Island. Four Chatham Island populations contain much of the recorded range of variation for the family for head length in standard length ratios, numbers of dorsal and anal rays, and numbers of scale rows. These characters are analysed for 29 populations incorporating five nominal species from New Zealand and Chatham Island. When interrelated these characters are shown to be linked (loosely) and high values are typical of coastal populations. When related to latitude their values increase to the south. The reverse trend is found with increase in altitude. Decrease in salinity depresses the values. Area of the lake habitat has little effect.

Observations suggest that size of fish and numbers of teeth vary predictably. Thus all observed variation is related to environmental conditions. The four nominal lake species are submerged in Retropinna retropinna (Richardson), the type species of the genus, which is considered to be highly adaptable rather than highly variable. R. osmeroides Hector is recognised as distinct from R. retropinna on one character and on sympatric distribution. Records of Australian and Tasmanian species suggest that R. victoriae Stokell differs fundamentally from all other species but that R. semoni Weber and jR. tasmanica McCulloch do not differ greatly from R. retropinna Similar environmentally correlated variation is suggested to relate some diadromous species of Galaxias and their lacustrine isolates.     

Planktonic stages of the teleost family carapidae in eastern New Zealand waters

The occurrence of planktonic carapid eggs in Otago waters, of young stages of Echiodon rendahli off Castlepoint, and the possible presence of unrecorded members of the family Carapidae in New Zealand waters is discussed. Young E. rendahli possess a long spine which originates dorsally to a distinctive suspended gut.     

Descriptions of two New Zealand sea anemones (Actiniaria: Hormathiidae)

The sea anemones Calliactis conchicola Parry, 1952 and Paracalliactis rosea n.sp. are described. This is the first report of the hormathiid genus Paracalliactis for New Zealand. Calliactis conchicola occurs with living gastropods, hermit crabs, and a true crab, and Paracalliactis rosea occurs with hermit crabs and a true crab. Certain characteristics of each of the two anemones suggest that the genera Calliactis and Paracalliactis may not be as discrete as was indicated by earlier reports.     

Book review

“Fertility of the Sea”. J. D. Costlow (Ed.). 1971. 2 Volumes (Vol. 1, 320 pp.; Vol. 2, 326 pp.) Gordon & Breach, Science Publishers, 12 Bloomsbury Way, London. £14.60 the set.     

Fish communities in New Zealand rivers and their relationship to environmental variables

Fish abundance data from selected electric‐fishing records in the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database (NZFFD) were used to identify riverine fish communities and to examine their relationship to environmental variables included in the NZFFD. Only 21 fish species, 18 native species, and three introduced salmonids, were present at 1% or more of the sites. We defined 12 fish communities characterised by a dominant species: two salmonid communities, two non‐diadromous native communities, and eight communities characterised by diadromous native species. Altitude and distance inland were the two most significant variables, reflecting differences between communities dominated by diadromous and non‐diadromous species. The next most important variables were related to the geographic location of the site. Other environmental variables that were highly correlated with the fish community assignments were stream width and percentage of native forest or farming land use in the catchment upstream of the site. Of the local habitat variables, percentage of cascade habitat and percentage of sand substrate were the most important discriminators between communities. Despite having only a limited set of broad‐scale environmental variables, we achieved 47% success in the prediction of community membership using multiple discriminant analysis, with another 21% of sites being near misses. A greater knowledge of barriers to migration of diadromous species and fine‐scale variables describing in‐stream habitat would probably increase the predictive ability of the model, although collection of such data is time consuming and therefore impractical on a national scale.