Limpets as prey: Lipophrys pholis choice for size

Patellid limpets are key species on rocky shores, structuring intertidal assemblages through their grazing. Their role as prey for fish is, however, often overlooked in studies of intertidal ecosystem functioning. The shanny Lipophrys pholis is a common predator of limpets on rocky shores in Northern Europe and, in this study, we examined the characteristics of its predation on limpets based on prey size. The limpet size range that adult L. pholis (10–12.5 cm) can eat was examined in the laboratory using Patella depressa in 0.2 cm classes, varying between 0.5 cm and 3.0 cm in maximum shell length. There was a limpet size refuge above 1.8 cm, while all smaller sizes were readily consumed by the shanny. The predator attacking behaviour was also examined and found to vary with prey size. Limpets up to 0.8 cm were crushed by the jaw‐constricting force and eaten whole, whereas larger prey were prised from the substratum and the body subsequently separated from the shell. To examine whether there was a L. pholis preference for P. depressa size, a two‐stage laboratory experiment was done using two size classes defined as small (0.7–0.8 cm maximum shell length) and large (1.5–1.6 cm maximum shell length). In the first stage, the predator was given each limpet size class separately. In the second stage, the fish was given a choice between the two classes. Lipophrys pholis was shown to have a preference for the large size class (1.5–1.6 cm). The average number of limpets consumed by the shanny was examined for the duration of one high‐tide typical of the central region of Portugal (≈ 4 h). On average, approximately five limpets (up to an eight limpet maximum) were consumed. The present study shows that L. pholis has a feeding preference based on limpet size, which suggests that the limpet population structure and intra‐ and inter‐specific interactions may be influenced by the shanny predation.     

基于STIRPAT模型的内蒙古沙漠化地区环境压力分析

实现经济与生态环境的协调发展,已经成为当前治理沙漠化的巨大挑战。如何定量分析人类活动和自然条件对环境的影响,是当前环境经济学界研究的热点问题。以内蒙古自治区71个沙漠化县为研究对象,以1986-2010年为研究区间做面板空间计量实证分析。选取了人口、富裕度、技术水平、风速和降水作为环境基础指标构建STIRPAT模型,从环境压力内在驱动角度定量分析不同的自然因素和人为因素对沙漠化地区环境的综合影响。结果表明:在观测数据范围内,富裕度、技术水平、风速和降水是内蒙古自治区环境压力的主要驱动因素;富裕度每增加1%,环境压力显著增加0.096%;技术水平每变化1%,将引起环境压力相应发生0.084%的变化;风速和降水每变动1%分别使得沙漠地区环境压力显著地增加0.640%和减少0.216%。     

基于时间序列遥感数据的嵯岗国家沙化土地封禁保护成效评估

2013年中国启动实施了内蒙古自治区新巴尔虎左旗嵯岗国家沙化土地封禁保护区试点。本研究利用2001-2017年生长季NDVI数据分析了嵯岗封禁保护区及周边区域植被长势时空演变特征,分析了多年的生长季降水量和历年旱情,之后利用植被降水利用效率和NDVI残差趋势分析对保护成效进行了评估。结果表明:(1)封禁项目实施之前,封禁区内外植被长势变化趋势基本一致,而在项目实施后的2016、2017年,封禁区内NDVI距平明显高于封禁区外;(2)降水为影响该区域植被长势的主导气候因素,在封禁实施后的2015-2017年该区域连续3 a干旱,极大地限制了区域植被生长;(3)封禁区内植被降水利用效率和NDVI残差均呈现明显的增加趋势,而封禁区外变化不明显,说明封禁提升了植被的自我修复能力;(4)嵯岗封禁保护区由3个地块组成,其中嵯岗林场封禁效果比牧场八队和牧场十一队明显。国家沙化土地封禁保护措施有效促进了植被自我修复,提高了沙漠生态系统应对气候变化的能力。     

基于专利的石漠化治理技术分析

石漠化是发生面积仅次于沙漠化的荒漠化类型,已成为中国西南喀斯特山区可持续发展的主要障碍,其治理与恢复是复杂的系统工程。从治理技术层面,以1 159组简单专利族为数据基础,揭示国内石漠化治理技术类别分布和主要领域。在对专利进行简要计量分析以提供概貌认识的基础上,通过阅读专利摘要内容,采用自下而上的聚类方法将当前专利划分为石漠化判断、治理、产业经济3个大类,监测与评价、科研仪器、生物治理、工程治理、化学治理、综合治理、综合产业、农业和工业9个中类,更细分至雨水搜集净化等42个小类。根据专利数量认定的四大主要技术领域为：工程治理（8.63%）、水分利用（12.51%）、栽培种植（27.52%）、植物资源加工（9.67%）,占总量的58.33%,专利领域分布相对集中。对主要技术领域采用内容分析法,提取工程治理具体措施、集雨工具、植物、加工制品等的信息并对其进行了详细阐述,指出目前专利技术中的问题：石漠化地区特有的植物资源众多,但目前加工层次偏低,应在拓展加工类型、延长加工产业链条、发掘植物药用和日用价值方面加大研发力度;防止土壤漏失技术、设施农业技术和生命基因技术亟待发展。分析可为全面认识国内石漠化治理技术提供专利视角的参照。     

中国荒漠化分区与时空演变

荒漠化被列入威胁人类生存的十大环境与发展问题之一,中国作为世界上荒漠化严重的国家,荒漠化形势十分严峻。本文通过遥感手段,以中国陆域国土范围（除台湾、香港和澳门）的31个省、市、自治区为研究区域,对1975年、2000年与2017年研究区数据进行沙化、盐渍化、水蚀荒漠化专题因子时空演变的综合研究,根据地域分异、发生学及多级序列等原则将将中国划分为8个荒漠-荒漠化区,42个荒漠-荒漠化亚区和36个荒漠-荒漠化小区。以不同时期荒漠化土地类型图为依据,采用荒漠化面积变化量与荒漠化重心迁移轨迹指标进行荒漠化演化分析。为具体说明不同区域荒漠化程度,本研究根据一定时期内荒漠化土地面积增加或减少的百分比将荒漠化演化分为7种类型,通过分析得到不同荒漠化区域的时空演化及不重心迁移,据此提出中国荒漠化的重点治理目标区及防治建议。研究结果表明：① 中国荒漠、荒漠化土地种类较多,重度荒漠化面积25.18×10⁴ km²,占荒漠化总面积的19.59%;② 1975-2017年,中国荒漠化发生明显逆转,与1975-2000年相比,2000-2017年全国的荒漠化强度显著下降,原因是荒漠化加重区面积减少以及荒漠化减弱区面积增加;③ 1975-2000年与2000-2017年,各区内荒漠化重心点坐标迁移具有同向性。本研究在分析荒漠化土地分布、形成和演变机制的基础上,进行了荒漠化分区。通过对不同荒漠化地区的面积百分比变化的比较,得到了不同时期荒漠化的时空演化模式,并分析了荒漠化演化的特点和差异。     

Macroalgal turfs in the Azores

Studies on macroalgal communities of the Azores report algal turfs as one of the most conspicuous ecological entities occurring on the rocky shores of these islands. The present study investigates the influence of shore height and substratum on turf composition. Data were analysed using the software PRIMER and results confirmed the previous distinction between calcareous, dominated by articulated coralline algae, and non-calcareous turfs, characterized mainly by small red algae. However, no differences in species composition were found in either type of turf occurring on different substrata or at different shore levels.     

Impact of water environmental characteristics in Dry-Hot valley of Jinsha river on soil desertification

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喀斯特山区石漠化成因的差异性定量研究——以贵州省盘县典型石漠化地区为例

珠东区的轻中度石漠化主要由人为因素引起,强度以上石漠化则由人为因素和恶劣的自然条件共同造成;保基区的轻中度石漠化主要是人为因素引起,强度以上石漠化则由自然因素造成;红果区的自然条件好于其它两个研究区,石漠化尤其是强度石漠化主要是土地利用强度大造成的,坡耕地发生中度甚至极强度石漠化。喀斯特石漠化土地的成因类型与恢复治理模式密切相关,在确定石漠化土地的治理恢复模式和治理重点时,有必要考虑石漠化土地的土地利用成因和成因的地域差异性。     

A comprehensive approach to drought and desertification in Northern Nigeria

Drought has been a recurring feature of the arid and semi-arid areas of Nigeria. This paper reviews the extent, severity, and consequences of drought and desertification in Nigeria with particular emphasis on the northern part of the country. The haphazard manner in which these environmental hazards have been tackled is examined and a systematic approach for the formulation of a national policy is proposed. It is recommended that a detailed formulation and implementation of the proposed policy plan is imperative to mitigate the often devastating impacts of drought and desertification in the very prone areas of Nigeria. Until such is done, some areas of Nigeria will always be vulnerable to the whims of an inevitable climatic hazard of drought and associated land degradation in the form of desertification.     

西藏“一江两河”中部流域地区土地沙漠化防治目标,对策与治沙工程布局

西藏“一江两河”中部流域地区是我国沙漠化强烈发展的地区之一。根据“一江两河”综合开发部署和沙漠化的实际状况，制定了本区沙漠化防治的目标、对策和治沙工程布局。“八·五”、“九·五”期间治理沙漠化土地８．４６万ｈａ。治沙工程实施后，综合效益指数将比１９９０年提高３３．７％，系统功能状况与效益水平在整体上提高１／３。