Diversity patterns in macrobenthos across a continental slope in the NE Atlantic

Different estimates were used to assess the diversity of the total macrofauna and its major taxonomic groups separately from a broad bathymetric range at a site in the NE Atlantic. In the Goban Spur region, a transect was sampled from the shelf to the abyssal plain over a depth range from 200 to 4500 m and in the Porcupine Sea Bight two stations were sampled (at 3670 m and 4115 m). Species diversity (the number of species per number of individuals) increased with increasing water depth, both when expressed as Hurlbert's E(S_n) and as Shannon's H′log e. The expected number of species in a 100-individual sample E(S₁₀₀) of total macrofauna increased from 30 on the shelf to 68 on the abyssal plain. Evenness (the proportional abundance of species), estimated with Shannon's J′, also increased with water depth from 0.66 to 0.91, whereas dominance (Simpson's D) decreased from 0.09 to 0.01. Species richness (the number of species per unit of area), however, showed a parabolic pattern with a peak at the upper slope. The largest number of species was found at the slope station at 1425 m (232 species within 0.66 m²). It is argued that species richness is not a synonym of species diversity, but that species richness depends both on species density (which decreases with increasing water depth) and on species diversity. Across the whole bathymetric range (200 to 4500 m) a total of 696 species within 8327 specimens in a total sampled area of 4.12 m² were counted, yielding mean values of 12 individuals per species and 169 species per m². Different communities were found to exist on the shelf, slope and abyss. It is suggested that this could have been caused by different selection processes. Differences in life-history strategies and organic-matter supply could (at least partly) explain the different community structures and diversity patterns found along the depth gradient.     

Using geoinformatics and geomorphometrics to quantify the geodiversity of Crete,Greece

The geodiversity of Crete is quantified in this study, based on the classification of geomorphometric, geological and climatic factors. A number of geomorphometric variables, extracted from the ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (ASTER G-DEM) in conjunction with geological and climatic information, are evaluated through various algorithms incorporated into Geographical Information System (GIS) software’s. The derived geoinformatic data sets are then analyzed to produce the geodiversity of Crete. The geodiversity map is used to quantify the geodiversity, by calculating landscape diversity and other spatial pattern indices. Those indices are evaluating the richness, evenness, fragmentation and shape of the landscape patch types. The outcome of this study has highlighted that western Crete is characterized by complex geodiversity with more irregular, elongated and fragmented landscape patterns relative to the eastern part of the island. The geodiversity indices provide insights into the processes shaping landscapes, particularly the “battle” between neotectonic landscape deformation and erosion/deposition. The methodology presented can be useful for decision makers when evaluating a regions geological heritage, planning the management of natural resources, or designating areas for conservation.     

Taxonomic distinctness in the diet of two sympatric marine turtle species

Marine turtles are considered keystone consumers in tropical coastal ecosystems and their decline through overexploitation has been implicated in the deterioration of reefs and seagrass pastures in the Caribbean. In the present study, we analysed stomach contents of green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) harvested in the legal turtle fishery of the Turks and Caicos Islands (Caribbean) during 2008–2010. Small juveniles to adult‐sized turtles were sampled. Together with data from habitat surveys, we assessed diet composition and the taxonomic distinctness (and other species diversity measures) in the diets of these sympatric marine turtle species. The diet of green turtles (n = 92) consisted of a total of 47 taxa: including three species of seagrass (present in 99% of individuals), 29 species of algae and eight sponge species. Hawksbill turtles (n = 45) consumed 73 taxa and were largely spongivorous (16 species; sponges present in 100% of individuals) but also foraged on 50 species of algae (present in 73% of individuals) and three species of seagrass. Plastics were found in trace amounts in 4% of green turtle and 9% of hawksbill turtle stomach samples. We expected to find changes in diet that might reflect ontogenetic shifts from small (oceanic‐pelagic) turtles to larger (coastal‐benthic) turtles. Dietary composition (abundance and biomass), however, did not change significantly with turtle size, although average taxonomic distinctness was lower in larger green turtles. There was little overlap in prey between the two turtle species, suggesting niche separation. Taxonomic distinctness routines indicated that green turtles had the most selective diet, whereas hawksbill turtles were less selective than expected when compared with the relative frequency and biomass of diet items. We discuss these findings in relation to the likely important trophic roles that these sympatric turtle species play in reef and seagrass habitats.     

基于底栖生物指数的辽东湾生态质量状况评价

以2007年7月辽东湾近岸海域获取的大型底栖动物样品和环境参数数据为基础,首次将W-statistic应用于该海域的生态质量状况评价,并结合Shannon-Wiener生物多样性指数及底栖生物完整性指数的评价结果全面分析其生态质量状况。结果表明,大多数离岸海域取样点的生态环境质量状况以轻度干扰为主,而北部河口区(如大辽河口、双台子河口)则以重度干扰为主,且沿河口区向外有明显的空间梯度。这跟入海河流携带大量的营养盐入湾从而导致河口区富营养化程度较高有关。各指数均能较为敏感地响应富营养化的空间梯度变化,且与富营养化指数显著相关;同时,3个指数之间呈显著的相关关系,能辨析北岸河口区组与近岸海域组的大型底栖动物群落显著性差异,适用于评价辽东湾的生态质量状况。     

海南省芒果寒害气象指数保险费率厘定及保险合同设计研究

寒害严重影响和制约海南芒果种植业的发展,芒果寒害气象指数保险费率的厘定及其合同设计对于转移灾害风险、减少农民损失、促进海南经济发展具有重大意义。利用海南省18个市(县)1990-2010年的芒果产量数据和1961-2010年的气象数据,基于极值理论构建产量风险分布模型,厘定了各市(县)的纯保险费率及其空间分布。结果表明:纯保险费率高值区主要分布在中部山区的五指山、琼中和白沙,以及北部的澄迈,其中白沙最高,这些地区芒果寒害风险较高,且种植技术或防灾减灾能力较差,建议采用高免赔额费率;纯保险费率低值区主要分布在南部和东部,其中南部三亚和陵水无寒害,其他市(县)寒害风险较低,建议实行低免赔额费率。同时,设计了基于不同免赔额的保险产品及合同,可为海南建立和完善芒果政策性农业保险方案提供技术支撑。     

Predicting forest carbon stocks from high resolution satellite data in dry forests of Zimbabwe: exploring the effect of the red-edge band in forest carbon stocks estimation

In this study, we tested whether the inclusion of the red-edge band as a covariate to vegetation indices improves the predictive accuracy in forest carbon estimation and mapping in savanna dry forests of Zimbabwe. Initially, we tested whether and to what extent vegetation indices (simple ratio SR, soil-adjusted vegetation index and normalized difference vegetation index) derived from high spatial resolution satellite imagery (WorldView-2) predict forest carbon stocks. Next, we tested whether inclusion of reflectance in the red-edge band as a covariate to vegetation indices improve the model's accuracy in forest carbon prediction. We used simple regression analysis to determine the nature and the strength of the relationship between forest carbon stocks and remotely sensed vegetation indices. We then used multiple regression analysis to determine whether integrating vegetation indices and reflection in the red-edge band improve forest carbon prediction. Next, we mapped the spatial variation in forest carbon stocks using the best regression model relating forest carbon stocks to remotely sensed vegetation indices and reflection in the red-edge band. Our results showed that vegetation indices alone as an explanatory variable significantly (p < 0.05) predicted forest carbon stocks with R² ranging between 45 and 63% and RMSE ranging from 10.3 to 12.9%. However, when the reflectance in the red-edge band was included in the regression models the explained variance increased to between 68 and 70% with the RMSE ranging between 9.56 and 10.1%. A combination of SR and reflectance in the red edge produced the best predictor of forest carbon stocks. We concluded that integrating vegetation indices and reflectance in the red-edge band derived from high spatial resolution can be successfully used to estimate forest carbon in dry forests with minimal error.     

基于二阶段嵌套锡尔系数分解方法的中国区域经济差异研究

用锡尔系数对1978年以来中国区域经济差异水平进行定量测度。在此基础上,基于三大地带——省(直辖市、自治区)、地区(市、区、自治州)三级结构的地域行政单元,运用二阶段嵌套锡尔系数分解方法对中国区域经济差异进行定量测度,将中国地区差异分解为东、中、西三大地带间的差异和三大地带内省间的差异以及各省区的省内差异,发现省内差异对于中国整体区域差异的影响较三大地带间差异和三大地带内省间差异显著得多,是构成全国整体区域差异的重要组成部分。     

Geochemistry and extractable Fe and Al in cold‐temperature soils of northwestern Siberia

The concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in three Cryosols from northwestern Siberia were analysed to determine profiles of geochemical uniformity, element mobility and the release and build‐up of extractable Fe and Al. The scope of this study involves weathering processes over all or part of the Lateglacial to the Holocene Epoch (<10 ka) in a cold environment. Iron and Al extracts are investigated to elicit information regarding profile age and palaeoclimate. ‘Free’ iron (Fe_d) relative to total Fe increases in the Ah + Bw horizons compared with the lower horizons, where oxidation is weaker. Low total Fe reflects reworked felsic deltaic and shallow marine deposits from the Permian to the early Tertiary, thereafter emplaced by episodic flooding of glacial meltwater from the Arctic Urals and/or the Kara Sea Ice Sheet. Organically complexed Al (Al_p), uniformly low in all soils, nevertheless shows trends indicating some downward movement, a rather unique occurrence in Arctic tundra soils. As indicated by the slow increase of oxihydrites, it may not be realistic to estimate the age of a profile by its physical characteristics. However, it appears possible to determine broad age ranges from the isotopic composition of water in soils. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lichens and mosses moisture content assessment through high‐spectral resolution remote sensing technology: a case study of the Hudson Bay Lowlands,Canada

Assessing moisture contents of lichens and mosses using ground‐based high‐spectral resolution spectrometers offers immense opportunities for a comprehensive monitoring of peatland moisture status by satellite/airborne imagery. This study investigates the impact of various moisture conditions of common subarctic lichen and moss species upon the spectral signatures obtained. The lichens are Cladina stellaris and Cladina rangiferina, and the mosses are Dicranum elongatum and Tomenthypnum nitens. Reflectance and moisture content measurements of these species were made in a laboratory setting, while maintaining the natural moisture conditions of the samples; once the moisture and spectral measurements were complete, the samples were returned to the field and placed in their natural setting, continuously receiving moisture from precipitation and groundwater and losing water through evaporation and drainage. Changes in reflectance of the visible to shortwave infrared (SWIR) range (400–2500 nm) at various moisture contents were examined, as well as the potential of current spectral reflectance indices to evaluate the plants' moisture contents was examined. Results indicate that the SWIR region is useful in identifying variations in plants moisture conditions, while the unique spectral signatures of the lichens and mosses in the visible and near‐infrared range suggest that these species may be detected by satellite and airborne imagery. Of current spectral indices, the normalized difference infrared index (NDII) was most successful in identifying the above plants' moisture content (details are discussed in the paper). Future study should focus on the development of improved moisture content spectral indices, as well as upscaling reflectance data and spectral indices. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Absolute photometry of small main-belt asteroids in 2007–2009

We present the results of absolute photometry – the absolute brightness H_V, the effective diameter, (B)VR color indices, composite light curves, period of rotation and amplitude of variations – of several small asteroids in the inner main-belt: 1344 Caubeta, 1401 Lavonne, 2947 Kippenhahn, 3913 Chemin, 3956 Caspar, 4375 Kiyomori, 4555 1987 QL, 5484 Inoda, 5985 1942 RJ, 6949 Zissell and main-belt asteroid 6867 Kuwano. The photometric observations of these objects were made in the period 2007–2009 as part of a project of photometric studies of small main-belt asteroids that involves a collaboration of a number of asteroid photometrists around the world.