Table of Content

18 June 2012, Volume 23 Issue 06

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Articles

Needles stable carbon isotope composition and traits of Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica in sparse wood grassland in south edge of Keerqin Sandy Land under the conditions of different precipitation.

SONG Li-ning2, ZHU Jiao-jun1,2, LI Ming-cai2, YAN Tao2,3, ZHANG Jin-xin2

2012, 23(06):  1435-1440. 

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A comparative study was conducted on the needles stable carbon isotope composition ( ¹³C), specific leaf area (SLA), and dry matter content (DMC) of 19-yearold Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica trees in a sparse wood grassland in the south edge of Keerqin Sandy Land under the conditions of extreme drought and extreme wetness, aimed to understand the water use of Pinus sylvestrisunder the conditions of extreme precipitation. The soil water content and groundwater level were also measured. In the dry year (2009), the soil water content in the grassland was significantly lower than that in the wet year (2010), but the  δ¹³C values of the current year-old needles had no significant difference between the two years and between the same months of the two years. The SLA of the current year-old needles was significantly lower in the dry year than in the wet year, but the DMC had no significant difference between the two years. Under the conditions of the two extreme precipitations, the water use efficiency of the trees did not vary remarkably, and the trees could change their needles SLA to adapt the variations of precipitation. For the test ecosystem with a groundwater level more than 3.0 m, extreme drought could have no serious impact on the growth and survival of the trees.

Effects of habitat change on nutrient contents in Quercus variabilis seedlings.

LEI Jing-pin1, XIONG Ding-peng2, LIU Jian-feng1, XIAO Wen-fa3, WANG Peng-cheng2, PAN Lei4

2012, 23(06):  1441-1446. 

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Quercus variabilisseedlings were collected from the habitats at different latitudes, and transplanted on the same experimental sites installed in the central part and southern and northern boundaries of China, whereQ. variabilis has a natural distribution, aimed to study the effects of habitat change on the nutrient contents in the seedlings in their vigorous growth period. With habitat change, the various organs nitrogen (N) content and the stem phosphorous (P) content of the transplanted seedlings changed significantly, but the organs potassium (K) content and the leaf and root P content had less change. In the experimental sites, the organ N content of the transplanted seedlings had significant positive correlation with the latitudes where the seedlings grew, the stem and root P contents decreased with the increasing latitude, while the leaf N:P ratio had less change. The organ N and P contents of the transplanted seedlings growing in northern boundary decreased significantly, and the effect of the latitudes  was more obvious. The leaf N:P ratio of all the seedlings transplanted from different altitudes increased to different degrees. It was concluded that the nutrient contents in different organs of Q. variabilisseedlings varied with latitude, and the seedlings had different responses to habitat change.  

Correlations between wild Polygonatum odoratum quality and main ecological factors.

BU Jing, LI Deng-wu, WANG Dong-mei

2012, 23(06):  1447-1454. 

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By the methods of stepwise regression, principal component analysis, and grey relational grade analysis, this paper studied the correlations between the effective components (polysaccharides and water and alcohol-soluble substances) contents and antioxidant activity of wild Polygonatum odoratum in different places and the ecological factors. Among the test ecological factors, the mean air temperature in January and in July, mean annual precipitation, frostfree period, and soil pH and total potassium were the main factors affecting the effective component contents of P. odoratum, with a contribution rate of 99.0%. As compared with soil factors, climatic factors made more contribution to the effective component contents. Soil total potassium was the key factor controlling the effective component contents, mean annual precipitation was the main decision factor, and mean air temperature in January was the main limiting factor. The plant polysaccharides and watersoluble substance contents were the key factors affecting the antioxidant activity of P. odoratum, and the capability of P. odoratum in excavating DPPH free radical increased with increasing contents of  polysaccharides and watersoluble substances.

Geographic variation of seed morphological traits of Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica in Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang of Northwest China.

LIU Gui-feng1,2, ZANG Run-guo2, LIU Hua3, BAI Zhi-qiang4, GUO Zhong-jun4, DING Yi2

2012, 23(06):  1455-1461. 

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Taking the Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica forests at three sites with different longitudes (Zhaosu, Tianchi, and Qitai) in Tianshan Mountains as the objects, the cones were collected along an altitudinal gradient to analyze the variation of their seed morphological traits (seed scale length and width, seed scale length/width ratio, seed wing length and width, seed wing length/width ratio, seed length and width, and seed length/width ratio).All the seed traits except seed width tended to decrease with increasing altitude. The seed traits except seed wing width, seed width, and seed length/width ratio all had significant negative correlations with altitude. Seed scale length and width and seed scale length/width ratio had significant positive correlations with longitude. Seed scale length, seed scale length/width ratio, and seed wing length/width ratio had significant negative correlations with slope degree. No significant correlations were observed between the seed traits except seed wing width and the slope aspect. Altitude was the main factor affecting the seed scale length, seed scale length/width ratio, and seed wing length/width ratio.  

Effects of stumping on Calligonum mongolicum shelterbelt growth and soil moisture and salt distribution along Tarim Desert Highway, Xinjiang of Northwest China.

ZHANG Jian-guo1,2, LI Ying-gang2,3, XU Xin-wen2, LEI Jia-qiang2, LI Sheng-yu2

2012, 23(06):  1462-1468. 

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In order to ensure the stability and sustainability of the Calligonum mongolicumshelterbelt along Tarim Desert Highway, the aged C. mongolicum was stumped to investigate its growth and soil moisture and salt distribution. After stumping twice,  C. mongolicum grew rapidly in its height, crown width, maximum basal diameter, and sprout number. Three years after stumping, the average height of the sprouts exceeded the control (no stumping), and the crown width and maximum basal diameter was 92.0% and 73.0% of the control, respectively. The fresh mass of the branches and assimilating branches, their dry mass, and the total fresh mass and dry mass of the aboveground parts reached 80.0%, 115.0%, 80.0%, 116.0%, 93.5%, and 88.0% of the control, respectively. Four years after stumping, the aboveground biomass surpassed the control. Comparing with the control, stumping increased the soil moisture content significantly and decreased the soil salt concentration. It was suggested that, to stump the aged C. mongolicum repeatedly could increase the soil moisture content and decrease the soil salt concentration in root zone, and effectively promote the rejuvenation and renewing of C. mongolicum.

Dynamic changes of soil respiration in Citrus reticulata and Castanea henryi orchards in Wanmulin Nature Reserve, Fujian Province of East China.

WANG Chao1,2, HUANG Rong1,2,YANG Zhi-jie1,3, LIU Qiang1,2, CHEN Guang-shui1,3, Wan Xiao-hua1,2

2012, 23(06):  1469-1475. 

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From January 2009 to December 2009, the soil respiration in the Citrus reticulata and Castanea henryi orchards in Wanmulin Nature Reserve was measured with Li-8100, aimed to characterize the dynamic changes of the soil respiration and its relationships with soil temperature and moisture in the two orchards. The monthly variation of the soil respiration in the orchards was single-peaked, with the peak appeared in July (3.76 μmol·m^-2·s^-1) and August (2.69 μmol·m^-2·s^-1). Soil temperature was the main factor affecting the soil respiration, and explained 73%-86% of the monthly variation of soil respiration. The average annual soil respiration rate was significantly higher in Citrus reticulataorchard than in Castanea henryi orchard, with the mean value being 2.68 and
1.55 μmol·m^-2·s^-1, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the soil respiration rate and soil moisture content in Castanea henryi orchard, but less correlation in Citrus reticulataorchard. The Q₁₀ value of the soil respiration in Citrus reticulata and Castanea henryi orchards was 1.58 and 1.75, and the annual CO₂ flux was 10.01 and 5.77 t C·hm^-2·a^-1, respectively.

Impacts of salt stress on the growth and physiological characteristics of Panicum virgatum seedlings.

FAN Xi-feng1, HOU Xin-cun1, ZHU Yi1,2, WU Ju-ying1

2012, 23(06):  1476-1480. 

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An experiment was conducted in an artificial climate chamber to study the growth and physiological characteristics of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) seedlings exposed to 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mmol·L^-1 of NaCl solutions. With the increasing concentration of the NaCl, the seedling growth was obviously inhibited. The plant height decreased, leaves became smaller, photosynthetic leaf area and net photosynthetic rate reduced, and dry matter accumulation decreased gnificantly, presenting the general traits of glycophyte. Meanwhile, the seedlings also showed relatively high salt tolerance. After exposed to 200 mmol·L^-1 of NaCl for 30- ays, the seedlings still survived, with the green leaf area per plant and net photosynthetic rate being  491.9 cm² and 0.93 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s·^-1, respectively. In this experiment,the salt tolerance threshold forP. virgatum was 178.6 mmol·L^-1 when taking 50 % drop in biomass as the standard.

Effects of salt stress on physiological characters and salt-tolerance of Ulmus pumila in different habitats.

LIU Bing-xiang1, WANG Zhi-gang1,2, LIANG Hai-yong1,2, YANG Min-sheng1,2

2012, 23(06):  1481-1489. 

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Taking the Ulmus pumila seedlings from three different habitats (medium-, mild-, and non-saline soils) as test materials, an experiment was conducted to study their salt-tolerance thresholds and physiological characteristic under different levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g·kg^-1) of salt stress. With increasing level of the salt stress, theseedlings taken from medium and mild- saline habitats had a lower increment of leaf membrane permeability, Na⁺ content, and Na⁺/K⁺ but a higher increment of leaf proline, soluble sugar, and K⁺ contents, and a lower decrement of leaf starch content, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and stomatic conductance, as compared with the seedlings taken from nonsaline habitat. The salttolerance thresholds of the seedlings taken from different habitats were in the order of medium saline habitat (7.76 g·kg^-1) > mild- saline habitat (7.37 g·kg^-1) > non-saline habitat (6.95 g·kg^-1). It was suggested that the U. pumilaseedlings in medium- and mild-saline habitats had a stronger adaptability to saline soil environment than theU. pumilaseedlingsin non-saline soil environment.

Measurement accuracy of Granier calibration based on transpiration of Platycladus orientalis.

LIU Qing-xin1,MENG Ping1,2, ZHANG Jin-song1,2, GAO Jun1,2, SUN Shou-jia1,2, JIA Chang-rong

2012, 23(06):  1490-1494. 

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In order to understand the accuracy of Granier’s thermal dissipation method in measuring tree water consumption, a comparative study was made from May to June, 2010. The sap flow density of potted Platycladus orientalis was measured with thermal dissipation probe, which was compared with the wholeplant gravimetric measurement. There were significant  linear relationships (R₂＞0.825) between the sap flow velocity in both north and south directions of P. orientalis measured by thermal dissipation probe and the transpiration rate measured by gravimetric method. The average daily sap flux in the north and south directions of P. orientalis were 10.6% and 15.1% lower than the daily average transpiration of P. orientalis, respectively, but the differences were not significant. Therefore, Granier’s method had high reliability in the measurement of P. orientalis transpiration at daily scale, though the large temperature fluctuation between day and night could result in a lower daily sap flux than daily transpiration.

Fire behavior of ground surface fuels in Pinus koraiensisand Quercus mongolica mixed forest under no wind and zero slope condition: A prediction with extended Rothermel model.

ZHANG Ji-li, LIU Bo-fei, CHU Teng-fei, DI Xue-ying, JIN Sen

2012, 23(06):  1495-1502. 

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A laboratory burning experiment was conducted to measure the fire spread speed, residual time, reaction intensity, fireline intensity, and flame length of the ground surface fuels collected from a Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) and Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) mixed stand in Maoer Mountains of Northeast China under the conditions of no wind, zero slope, and different moisture content, load, and mixture ratio of the fuels. The results measured were compared with those predicted by the extended Rothermel model to test the performance of the model, especially for the effects of two different weighting methods on the fire behavior modeling of the mixed fuels. With the prediction of the model, the mean absolute errors of the fire spread speed and reaction -intensity of the fuels were 0.04 m·min^-1 and 77 kW·m^-2, their mean relative errors were 16% and 22%, while the mean absolute errors of residual time, fireline intensity and flame length were 15.5 s, 17.3 kW·m^-1, and 9.7 cm, and their mean relative errors were 55.5%, 48.7%, and 24%, respectively, indicating that the predicted values of residual time, fireline intensity, and flame length were lower than the observed ones. These errors could be regarded as the lower limits for the application of the extended Rothermel model in predicting the fire behavior of similar fuel types, and provide valuable information for using the model to predict the fire behavior under the similar field conditions. As a whole, the two different weighting methods did not show significant difference in predicting the fire behavior of the mixed fuels by extended Rothermel model. When the proportion of Korean pine fuels was lower, the predicted values of spread speed and reaction intensity obtained by surface area weighting method and those of fireline intensity and flame length-obtained by load weighting method were higher; when the proportion of Korean pine needles was higher, the contrary results were obtained.

Establishment of standard forest fuel models for Fenglin Natural Reserve, Heilongjiang Province, China.

WU Zhi-wei1, HE Hong-shi1, LIANG Yu1, LUO Xu1, CAI Long-yan1, LONG Jing2

2012, 23(06):  1503-1510. 

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From the viewpoint of forest fire behavior, and based on the key parameters of fuels, three standard forest fuel models for the forests differed significantly in fuel characteristics and local environmental conditions in Fenglin Natural Reserve were established by using hierarchical cluster analysis. The three models were FL-Ⅰ, FL-Ⅱ, and FL-Ⅲ for the broadleaved-Korean pine forest, spruce-fir forest, and poplar-birch forest, the representative forest types in the Reserve, respectively. According to the forest structure and composition, land cover type, and horizontal and vertical continuity, the three models FL-Ⅰ, FL-Ⅱ, and FL-Ⅲ were similar to the models C-5, C-2, and D-1 in Canada CFBPS fuel classification system, respectively. The forest ground features and the horizontal and vertical characteristics of the three models established in this paper could help the investigators to identify the fuel types in fuel inventory.

Dynamic changes of vegetation net primary productivity in permafrost zone of Northeast China in 1982-2009 in response to global change.

MAO De-hua1,2, WANG Zong-ming1, LUO Ling1, HAN Ji-xing1,2

2012, 23(06):  1511-1519. 

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As one of the high-latitude cold regions, the permafrost zone of Northeast China (PZNC) is more sensitive to global change. Based on the AVHRR GIMMS NDVI and MODIS NDVI, and by using CASA model, this paper simulated the net primary productivity (NPP) in the PZNC from 1982 to 2009. In 1982-2009, the mean annual air temperature, annual solar radiation and sunshine duration, and atmospheric CO₂ concentration and its annual increasing rate in the PZNC increased significantly while the annual precipitation had a significant decrease, and the annual NPP showed an up-and-down trend, with the turning point in 1998. The annual NPP had a high spatial heterogeneity, with an average of 623 g C·m^-2. Comparing with air temperature, the precipitation in growth season was the main factor affecting the NPP. Land use change altered land cover, and thus, the spatiotemporal characteristics of NPP. A significant positive correlation was observed
-between the NPP and atmospheric CO₂ concentration. The impact of permafrost degradation on NPP differed with regional environment. The NPP had a significant positive correlation with the meanannual ground temperature, but a negative correlation with the annual maximum permafrost depth.

Ecological restoration effect of closed and half-closed degraded wetlands in Northwest Yunnan Plateau, Southwest China.

YANG Qian1, TIAN Kun1,2, XIAO De-rong2, LI Yin1, DONG Yu1，YANG Yang3

2012, 23(06):  1520-1526. 

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Selecting the restoration site of Napahai, a representative degraded wetland in Northwest Yunnan Plateau, as test object, a comparative study was made on the changes of plant community species composition, water quality, and soil organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (TN) contents within stream way, meadow, and lakeside before and after vegetation restoration, aimed to verify the effectiveness of integrated ecosystem restoration at catchment scale. In the early restoration period, the plants at the study site increased from 13 to 28 species, 12 to 22 genera, and 8 to 18 families, and the aboveground biomass increased from 318.56 g·m^-2 to 507.68 g·m^-2. The plant community structure and composition in lakeside and riverside had an obvious change before and after the vegetation restoration. Pollution-tolerant species diminished or disappeared, while the primary swamp communities of Sparganium stoloniferumandBatrachium bungei appeared after their disappearance for many years. After vegetation restoration, soil OM and TN contents increased from 28.85 g·kg^-1 and 0.79 g·kg^-1 to 50.26 g·kg^-1 and 1.45 g·kg^-1, respectively. The TN and TP contents and COD in the water decreased  significantly, and their removal rates reached to 67.9%, 79.2%, and 71.2%, respectively. The transparency of water body increased to 179%, indicating that the structure and function of the wetland ecosystem had been substantially improved and restored. It was concluded that the vegetation restoration measures and technology used in closed or half-closed plateau wetland area were effective.

Spatial variability of soil nutrients and salinity in coastal saline-alkali land based on belt transect method.

WANG Na-na, QI Wei, WANG Dan, QIN Tian-tian, LU Chao

2012, 23(06):  1527-1532. 

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A north-south transect was established in the saline-alkali land of Yellow River old course at Diaokou of northern Yellow River Delta, Shandong Province of East China to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of soil nutrients and salinity and related affecting factors by using geostatistics method. In the study area, the nugget/still of soil organic matter, total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) contents and soil salinity were 0.38, 0.40, 0.50, 0.32, and 0.34, respectively, which demonstrated that these five parameters were moderately spatial dependence. The soil organic matter and TN contents in this transect had a similar distribution pattern, soil AK content was highly correlated to soil salinity, while soil AP content presented a fluctuated distribution. According to the comprehensive analysis of soil organic matter content and salinity, this transect was classified into three types, i.e., high salinity and low fertility, high salinity and high fertility, and low salinity and high fertility. The spatial distribution pattern of the five soil parameters was closed related to the soil parental material, land use pattern, distance to sea, and road block.

Relationships between summer drought and strong typhoon events and pine wilt disease occurrence in East Asia.

WANG Fei

2012, 23(06):  1533-1544. 

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The occurrence and prevalence of pine wilt disease cause huge losses to Japan, China, and South Korea in East Asia, and have received concerns from many countries. By the methods of field observation and meteorological data analysis, this paper studied the characteristics of the occurrence and prevalence of pine wilt disease and their relations to the meteorological disasterevents. In Japan, China and South Korea, the meteorological extreme events of persistent summer drought and strong typhoon could trigger the occurrence of pine wilt. In extremely dry and hot environment, pine trees often appeared energy metabolism imbalance and entire tree wilt. However, in the years with lower temperature and more rainfall, less or nearly no pine wilt event occurred. It was suggested that before the attack by pine wood nematode and its vectors, the vigor of the pines had already declined, and thus, pine wilt disease could be confined in the areas often hit by summer drought and strong typhoon events. In the areas with suitable natural environment characterized by less summer drought and strong typhoon events and no improperly enlarged pine planting, there would be little possibility of widespread occurrence of pine wilt disease.

Spatial distribution pattern of carabid assemblage in agricultural landscape of Miyun County, Beijing.

CHANG Hong, ZHANG Xu-zhu, DUAN Mei-chun, YU Zhen-rong, LIU Yun-hui

2012, 23(06):  1545-1550. 

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By the method of pitfall trap sampling, an investigation was conducted on the carabid assemblage in four typical habitats (maize field, peanut field, orchard, and seminatural woodland) in the agricultural landscape in Xitiange Village of Miyun County, Beijing. Among the four habitats, orchard had the highest α-diversity of carabid assemblage, followed by woodland and maize field, and peanut field had the lowest one. The species composition of the assemblage in woodland, peanut field, and orchard had evident difference, but was similar to that in maize field to some extent. The number of the individuals of predatory and omnivorous carabid sub-assemblages was larger in orchard, and the predatory sub-assemblage presented more distinct difference in its species turnover rate than the omnivore sub-assemblage among the habitats. This study showed that low-intensively managed orchard habitat could sustain higher α-diversity of carabid assemblage than semi-natural woodland habitat, and the landscape with diversified habitats could benefit the β-diversity of carabid assemblage and its predatory subassemblage. To attach importance to the conservation of diversified habitats and low-intensively managed farmland habitat would have significance for the conservation of carabid assemblage diversity and its pest control function in agricultural landscape.

Influence of soil salinization on soil animal community in an arid oasis of middle Heihe River basin.

LIU Ji-liang1,2, LI Feng-rui1,2, NIU Rui-xue1,2, LIU Chang-an1,2, LIU Qi-jun1,2

2012, 23(06):  1551-1561. 

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An investigation was conducted on the status of soil salinization and the structure of soil animal community across six land use/cover types in an arid oasis of middle Heihe River basin, and the methods of redundancy analysis, regression analysis, and path analysis  were adopted to analyze the responses of the soil animal community under different land use/cover types and different management modes to the various status of soil salinization. The six land use/cover types were 21-year old shrub land without irrigation and fertilization, 28-year old poplar and 33-year-old pine plantations with irrigation, 27 and 100-year-old farmlands with irrigation and fertilization, and natural grassland, from which all the other five land use/cover types were converted. The results demonstrated that land cover change in the absence of management practices did not lead to a significant change in the abundance and group richness of the soil animal community, while land cover change in the presence of management practices resulted in a significant change in the soil animal community. The evolvement of the soil animal community structure was co affected by soil pH, soluble salt content, and Na⁺, Cl^-, HCO₃^-, and Mg²⁺ concentrations, among which, soil soluble salt and Na⁺ had the greatest contribution, being the key affecting factors. The abundance and group richness of the soil animal community had significant negative exponential correlations with soil soluble salt content and Na⁺ concentration, and significant quadratic correlations with soil Mg²⁺ and HCO₃^- concentrations. The calculated ecological threshold values of soil Mg²⁺ and HCO₃^- concentrations for the abundance and group richness of the soil animal community were 38.7-39.4 mg·kg^-1and 324.9-335.3 mg·kg^-1, at which, the abundance and group richness reached their peaks 40-43 individuals·m^-2and 13-14 families·m^-2, respectively. When the Mg²⁺ and HCO₃^-  concentrations increased further, the abundance and group richness decreased.

Effects of lead stress on the growth and reproduction of Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

SHU Ying-hua1,2,3, DU Yan1,2,3, WANG Jian-wu1,2,3

2012, 23(06):  1562-1568. 

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Standard artificial diet was added with different concentration lead (Pb) to feed herbivorous  insect Spodoptera litura larvae to study their growth and reproduction under the effects of Pb stress. With the increasing concentration Pb in the diet, the survival rate and body mass of the larvae at their different development stages (larvae, pupae, and adults) decreased. The minimum concentration of Pb which caused the significant decrease of the survival rate was 100 mg·kg^-1, and that caused a remarkable decrease of body mass was 50 mg·kg^-1. After fed with the diet containing 25-200 mg·kg^-1of Pb, the duration of laying eggs was significantly shortened. With increasing concentration Pb in the diet, the oviposition rate and fecundity of female adults decreased significantly, the average mass of one thousand eggs was significantly less than that of the control, and the hatching rate of the eggs laid by adults was also decreased significantly. All the results suggested that Pb stress had significant inhibition effects on the growth and reproduction of S. litura.

Genetic characteristics associated with drought tolerance of plant height and thousand-grain mass of recombinant inbred lines of wheat.

YANG De-long1, 2, ZHANG Guo-hong3, LI Xing-mao3, XING Hua2, CHENG Hong-bo2, NI Sheng-li3, CHEN Xiao-ping2

2012, 23(06):  1569-1576. 

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A total of 120 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from Chinese winter wheat cultivars Longjian 19×Q9086 and the two parents were taken as test materials to study the quantitative genetics characteristics of their plant height at different development stages, thousand-grain mass, as well as the correlations between the two traits under rainfed (drought stress) and wellwatered conditions, and evaluate the genetic variation of the RIL. Under the two water conditions, the target traits of the RIL showed substantial transgressive segregation and great sensitivity to water condition. The drought stress coefficient of the plant height was higher at jointing stage, being up to 0.851. There was a significant positive correlation between the plant height at different development stages and the thousand-grain mass, and comparing with that at other growth stages, the plant height at jointing stage had a higher correlation coefficient with the thousand-grain mass (R²_DS=0.32,R²_WW=0.28). The plant height at both jointing and flowering stages had significant positive and direct effect but negative and indirect gross effect on the thousand-grain mass, while the plant height at heading and maturing stages was in adverse. The target traits showed a lower heritability ranged from 0.27 to 0.60. The numbers of the gene pairs controlling the thousandgrain mass were 10 under rainfed and 13 under well-watered conditions, while those of the gene pairs controlling the plant height at different development stages were 3-7 under rainfed and 4-14 under well-watered conditions, respectively. According to the clustering of the drought stress coefficient of plant height, the RIL could be classified into five subgroups, showing the abundant variation of the RIL in their phenotypes and in the sensitivity to water condition. It was considered that the test RIL were appropriate for the study of the quantitative genetics of wheat drought resistance.  

Influence of different duration of waterlogging on the growth and C and N metabolism of soybean at seedling and flowering stages.

ZHOU Qin, DONG Yan, BIAN Yajiao, HAN Liang-liang, TIAN Yi-dan, XING Han, JIANG Hai-dong

2012, 23(06):  1577-1584. 

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A pot experiment with soybean cultivar Nannong 996 was conducted to study its growth and C and N metabolism at seedling and flowering stages under the stress of different duration of waterlogging. Waterlogging inhibited the soybean growth. The plant biomass, leaf area, leaf pigment content, and photosynthesis rate all decreased significantly, and the leaf malonyldialdehyde (MDA) content had a significant increase. The change ranges of the physiological indices increased with increasing waterlogging duration. After the release of the stress, the plants had some recovery. The recovery capability in treatment waterlogging for 10 d was stronger than that in the treatment waterlogging for 20 d. The leaf soluble C and N and key enzymes had different responses to waterlogging. Soluble sugar content and glutamine synthease and sucrose synthease activities all increased, but soluble protein content decreased. The influence of waterlogging on the plant biomass, leaf area, and MDA content was smaller at seedling stage than at flowering stage. It was suggested that the shorter the waterlogging duration was, the lesser damage the soybean plant suffered, and the stronger the recovery capability was. Soybean plant could recover itself after waterlogging for 10 d.  

Effects of phosphorous fertilizers on phytoavailability of cadmium in its contaminated soil and related mechanisms.

LIU Zhao-bing1,2, JI Xiong-hui1,2, PENG Hua1,2, TIAN Fa-xiang1,3, WU Jia-mei1,3, SHI Li-hong1,2

2012, 23(06):  1585-1590. 

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To explore an effective measure to ensure the safety of rice quality in cadmium (Cd) contaminated farmland, a pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effects of of low Cd content (Cd＜0.2 mg·kg^-1) phosphorous fertilizers with an application rate of 0.10 or 0.20 g P₂O₅·kg^-1 on the phytoavailability of Cd in its contaminated paddy soil, with the related mechanisms discussed. Compared with no phosphorous fertilization, applying 0.10 P₂O₅·kg_-1 of calcium magnesium phosphate (CMP) and monopotassium phosphate (MKP) increased soil pH and decreased soil available Cd content significantly, and CMP and calcium superphosphate (CSP) decreased the Cd accumulation in rice significantly. When the application rate was up to 0.20 g P₂O₅·kg^-1, calcium hydrogen phosphate (CHP) increased the soil pH and decreased the soil available Cd content significantly, and CMP, MKP, and CHP decreased the DTPAextractable soil Cd content by 11.8%, 9.8%, and 11.8%, and the NH₄OAcextractable soil Cd content by 9.5%, 7.1%, and 7.1%, respectively. All test phosphorous fertilizers could significantly decrease the stem and leaf Cd contents, with a decrement of 24.9%-50.8%, and except CHP, the others could significantly decrease the Cd content of brown rice. With the application CMP and CSP, the Cd content of brown rice was close to the National Hygienic Standard for Grains (GB 2715-2005). Among the test phosphorous fertilizers, those can increase soil pH (CMP, MKP, and CHP) could significantly decrease the availability of soil Cd significantly, and those containing calcium (CMP and CSP) were more effective in decreasing the Cd accumulation in rice. The efficiency of the phosphorous fertilizers was mainly determined by their chemical properties. Alkaline calciumcontaining phosphorous fertilizers were more effective in decreasing the Cd absorption and accumulation in rice plant in Cdcontaminated farmland.

Effects of nitrogen application period on the nitrogen metabolism key enzymes activities and antioxidant characteristics of high-yielding summer maize.

LU Peng1,2, ZHANG Ji-wang1, LIU Wei1, YANG Jin-sheng3, DONG Shu-ting1, LIU Peng1, LI Deng-hai3

2012, 23(06):  1591-1598. 

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Taking the high-yielding summer maize cultivars Denghai 661 (DH661) and Zhengdan 958 (ZD958) as test materials, a field experiment was conducted to study their grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency, key enzymes activities of nitrogen metabolism, and antioxidant enzymes activities under effects of different nitrogen application periods. One-dose nitrogen application at jointing stage was not beneficial to the increase of grain yield and the nitrogen accumulation in plant and grain, while split application in combination with application after anthesis increased the nitrogen accumulation in plant and grain significantly and increased the grain yield. When the nitrogen was applied at a ratio of 2：4：4 at jointing stage, 10-leaf stage, and 10 days after anthesis, the grain yield of DH661 was up to 14123.0 kg·hm^-2; when the nitrogen was applied at a ratio of 1：2：5：2 as the basal and at jointing stage, 10-leaf stage, and 10 days after anthesis, the grain yield of ZD958 was up to 14517.1 kg·hm^-2. These two nitrogen application modes increased the grain yield of DH661 and ZD958 by 14.5% and 17.5%, respectively, as compared with onedose nitrogen application at jointing stage. Split nitrogen application before anthesis increased plant nitrate reductase  activity significantly. In the 0-42 days after anthesis under split nitrogen application, the glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase, and glutamate dehydrogenase  activities of DH661 and ZD958 were averagely increased by 32.6%, 47.1% and 50.4%, and 14.5%, 61.8% and 25.6%, and the superoxide dismutase  and catalase activities were increased by 22.0% and 36.6%, and 13.4% and 62.0%, respectively, and the malondialdehyde content was decreased significantly, as compared with oneoff nitrogen application. It was suggested that for the high-yielding of summer maize, split application of nitrogen and appropriately increasing the nitrogen application ratio after anthesis could enhance the plant key nitrogen metabolism enzymes activities, delay leaf senescence, promote plant nitrogen uptake and its utilization, and increase grain yield.

Effects of exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid on polyamine metabolism of melon seedlings under hypoxia stress.

FAN Long-quan, YANG Li-wen, GAO Hong-bo, WU Xiao-lei, XIA Qing-ping, GONG Bin-bin

2012, 23(06):  1599-1606. 

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Taking melon cultivar ‘Xiyu No.1’ as test material, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the seedlings polyamine metabolism under hypoxia stress. Compared with the control in normoxic treatment, the seedlings under hypoxia stress had significantly higher glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity and GABA content, and their polyamine synthesis enzymes activities all enhanced significantly, which led to a marked increase of polyamines contents. Meanwhile, the seedlings leaf and root diamine oxidase (DAO) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) activities also had a significant increase. The increment of root arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity was higher, which induced a higher content of free putrescine (Put) in roots, while the increment of leaf ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and Sadenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activities were higher, inducing a higher content of free spermidine (Spd) in leaves. The PBsextractable DAO and PAO activies in roots were significantly lower than those in leaves, but the cell wallbound PAO activity was in adverse. Under hypoxia stress, the addition of exogenous GABA increased the leaf and root GABA and glutamic acid contents and decreased the GAD activity significantly. The increase of arginine, ornithine, and methionine contents promoted the activities of polyamines synthesis enzymes, which led to the significant increase of polyamines contents and the significant decrease of DAO and PAO activities.

Cadmium accumulation, subcellular distribution, and chemical forms in Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay grapevine.

DU Yuan-peng1, LI Hong-jing2, YIN Ke-lin2, ZHAI Heng1

2012, 23(06):  1607-1612. 

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A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the Cd absorption, Cd subcellular distribution, and Cd chemical forms in oneyear old selfrooted Chardonnay and SO4 rootstock-grafted Chardonnay grapevine after root-irrigating with different concentration CdCl₂ and CaCl₂. In the grapevine, the absorbed Cd was mostly distributed in underground organs (root and rhizome). In treatment 4 mmol·L^-1 of CdCl₂, 77.1% and 1.4% of the absorbed Cd in selfrooted Chardonnay were accumulated in underground organs and leaves, respectively, while 93.9% and 0.1% of the absorbed Cd in grafted Chardonnay were accumulated in the organs below graft position and in leaves, respectively. 5 mmol·L^-1 of CaCl₂ decreased the plant Cd absorption and accumulation, while 10 mmol·L^-1 of CaCl₂ increased the plant Cd absorption and accumulation significantly. The Cd subcellular distribution in roots and leaves was in the order of cell wall > soluble fraction > organelle, and more than 50% of the Cd was accumulated in cell wall. In the roots, NaCl-extractable Cd had a major proportion, followed by HAc-extractable Cd, and waterextractable Cd. The contents of all the Cd chemical forms varied with the increasing concentration of Cd in the treatments.

Impacts of elevated atmospheric ozone concentration on flag leaf microscopic structure of wheat: A field study with FACE system.

ZHU Xin-kai1, GAO Chun-yan1, ZHANG Ru-biao1, LI Chun-yan1, GUO Wen-shan1, ZHU Jian-guo2, Kazuhiko KOBAYASHI3

2012, 23(06):  1613-1619. 

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By using FACE (FreeAir Controlled Environment)ozone system, a field plot experiment was conducted in 2008-2009 to study the effects of elevated ozone (O₃) concentration on the flag leaf microscopic structure, chlorophyll content, and grain weight of wheat. Two treatments were installed, i.e., ambient O₃ and 150% of ambient O₃, and four winter varieties, i.e., Yannong 19, Yangmai 16, Jiaxin 002, and Yangfumai 2, were taken as the test materials. At anthesis, elevated O₃ concentration had a slight damage to the flag leaf microscopic structure. The mesophyll cell and chloroplast structure began destroying, and the grana lamellae started breaking and loosing. Twenty-one days after anthesis, the differences in the leaf microscopic structure between the two treatments became significant. Under elevated O₃, the flag leaf senescence was accelerated, with the endomembrane system disintegrated, grana lamella disappeared, and corpus adiposum inside chloroplast broken down, resulting in a significant decrease of the chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, and grain  weight at maturing stage. Significant difference was observed among the test varieties in their responses to elevated O₃. Jiaxin 002 was tolerant, while Yangfumai 2 was sensitive to the ozone stress.

Microbial community structure in strong aromatic liquor fermented grains characterized by PLFA fingerprints.

LIU Kun-yi1, CHEN Shuai1, ZHENG Jia1, HUANG Jun1, ZHANG Su-yi3, YI Bin3, ZHOU Rong-qing1,2,3

2012, 23(06):  1620-1628. 

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Taking the nine common microbial strains in liquor-making process as test objects, this paper studied the characteristics of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), a characteristic component of the strains cell membrane, and the relationships between the detected amount of PLFA and the biomass of the strains. There existed significant differences in the PLFA fingerprints between test bacteria, actinomycetes, molds, and yeasts, and the PLFA fingerprint of each strain could be used as the basis to distinguish species and genus. Within a certain range of the strains biomass, the detected amount of total PLFA or 16:0 was linearly correlated with the biomass. After adding different biomass Gram positive (G⁺) bacteria, Gram negative (G^-) bacteria, and fungi in fermented grains, a significant difference was observed in the relative amount of PLFA between experimental and control samples. It was suggested that the fingerprint of PLFA could quantitatively or semi-quantitatively characterize the microbial community structure and its dynamic variation in fermented grains. By detecting the PLFA profiles of fermented grains in various liquor industries and by analyzing the microbial community structure in the fermented grains, it was substantiated that PLFA fingerprinting was of general applicability.

Expression of Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter geneKsNHX1 in Kochia sieversiana under saline-alkali stress.

FU Yin-sheng, CUI Ji-zhe, CHEN Guang-dong, LIU Jia, MI Xiao-ju, ZHANG Hai-bo

2012, 23(06):  1629-1634. 

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The 3’cDNA fragment of KsNHX1 in Kochia sieversiana was obtained by RACE. The phylogenetic analysis of antiporters from different plant species indicated that the KsNHX1 was a gene encoding vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter. By using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the expression profiles of the KsNHX1 under different saline-alkali stresses were examined. It was observed that the transcript of KsNHX1 in leaves under the stress of 200 mmol·L^-1 for 2-24 h increased gradually with increasing duration, and the expression of KsNHX1 in roots, stems, leaves, and flowers under the stress of 200 mmol·L^-1 for 10h was up-regulated. Under various NaCl concentrations, the expression of KsNHX1 in leaves was up-regulated, with the maximum under 160 mmol·L^-1 of NaCl. The expression of KsNHX1 in roots was also up-regulated under the stress of <400 mmol·L^-1. Under various concentrations of Na₂CO₃, the expression of KsNHX1 in roots appeared the similar change patterns with those under corresponding concentrations of NaCl, but the expression of KsNHX1 in leaves was down-regulated except under 160 mmol·L^-1. The changes of the expression patterns implied that KsNHX1 played roles in maintaining the homeostasis of K⁺/Na⁺, which probably contributed to the saline-alkali tolerance of Kochia sieversiana.  

Identification of a new heterotrophic nitrobacterium strain Colloidessp. JZ1-1 and its nitrifying capability.

XIAO Ji-bo, JIANG Hui-xia, CHU Shu-yi

2012, 23(06):  1635-1640. 

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A heterotrophic nitrobacterium strain JZ1-1 with higher nitrifying capability was isolated and mutagenized from an acclimated activated sludge. The JZ1-1 was identified as Colloidessp., according to its morphological and physiological features. The factors affecting the nitrifying capability of JZ1-1 were investigated, including medium carbon source, C/N ratio, pH value, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and ammonium nitrogen concentration. The optimal carbon source was sodium citrate, and the nitrification was favored when the C/N ratio was from 10 to 14, temperature was 30 ℃, and pH value was 6-9 when cultured at a rotating speed of more than 150 r·min^-1. JZ1-1 could degrade ammonium nitrogen effectively when the initial concentration of ammonium nitrogen was from 100 mg·L^-1  to 500 mg·L^-1. JZ1-1 was stable after 5 generations of subculture.

Regulation strategies of regional land use management based on ecosystem services: A case study in Wanquan Town, Zhejiang Province of East China.

BAI Yang

2012, 23(06):  1641-1648. 

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Through the evaluation of the gains and losses of the key functions of regional ecological system under different management modes, various ecosystems functions and their spatial distribution patterns in Wanquan Town were analyzed. Based on different development needs, various scenarios were established and weighed. In 2009, the support function value supplied by the ecosystems in the Town was 58 million RMB, among which, oxygen release function ranked first (37 million RMB), and the regulation function value provided by the ecosystems was 1238 million RMB, among which, climate regulation ranked first (1127 million RMB). The total ecosystem services value was 1297 million RMB, being 1.46 times of the local GDP (888 million RMB) in the same year. Compared with that in 2002, the service function value of the ecosystems declined in 2009, with the largest decrements in climate regulation and water yield. Under policy scenario and protection scenario, the variation trends of the values of various ecosystems functions were basically the same. Except that the values of the functions oxygen release and nutrient cycling decreased, the values of the others increased obviously. Under protection scenario, the total ecosystem services value had a higher increment than that under policy scenario, especially for the water yield and carbon sequestration functions. It was suggested that protection scenario could be the optimal land use management mode for the socio-economic sustainable development of the Town.

Spatial distribution characteristics of urban potential population in Shenyang City based on QuickBird image and GIS.

LI Jun-ying1,2, HU Yuan-man1, CHEN Wei1, LIU Miao1, HU Jian-bo1, ZHONG Qiao-lin2, LU Ning2

2012, 23(06):  1649-1654. 

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Population is the most active factor affecting city development. To understand the distribution characteristics of urban population is of significance for making city policy decisions and for optimizing the layout of various urban infrastructures. In this paper, the information of the residential buildings in Shenyang urban area was extracted from the QuickBird remote sensing images, and the spatial distribution characteristics of the population within the Third-Ring Road of the City were analyzed, according to the social and economic statistics data. In 2010, the population density in different types of residential buildings within the Third-Ring Road of the City decreased in the order of high-storey block, mixed block, mixed garden, old multi-storey building, high-storey garden, multi-storey block, multistorey garden, villa block, shanty, and villa garden. The vacancy rate of the buildings within the Third-Ring Road was more than 30%, meaning that the real estate market was seriously overstocked. Among the five Districts of Shenyang City, Shenhe District had the highest potential population density, while Tiexi District and Dadong District had a lower one. The gravity center of the City and its five Districts was also analyzed, which could provide basic information for locating commercial facilities and planning city infrastructure.

Multi-gradients of land surface temperature in mountainous cities with rapid urbanization: A case study in central area of Chongqing City.

HAN Gui-feng, ZHAO Ke, YAN Wen-tao, YE Lin

2012, 23(06):  1655-1662. 

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By using TM/ETM⁺ and MODIS images, the land surface temperature (LST) and relative heat island intensity (RHII) of the central area of Chongqing City were extracted to analyze the distribution patterns of the LST and RHII along the multigradients of topography, population, and gross domestic product (GDP) as well as the potential quantitative relationships. The LST and RHII manifested a nonmonotonically decreasing trend along the gradients of elevation and relief degree, respectively, both with a significant quadratic polynomial relationship. The maximum RHII appeared at 200-350 m elevation section due to the massive urban construction activities, and had significant linear relationships with the population density and the GDP per square kilometer. The RHII rose about 0.10 ℃ when the population density increased 1000 people per square kilometer, and rose about 0.08 ℃ when the GDP per square kilometer increased 10 million RMB Yuan.

Perception of residents in world heritage site to the effects of ecological migration: A case study of three migrant resettlement spots in Wulingyuan, Hunan Province of South-central China.

WANG Kai1,2, OU Yan1, GE Quan-sheng2

2012, 23(06):  1663-1670. 

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Based on the investigation in three typical migrant resettlement spots in Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a demonstration analysis was conducted on the residents’ perception to the effects of ecological migration on world heritage site. The residents in the 3 spots had great differences in the positive perception to the economic effects of ecological migration, but less differences in the perception to the negative indices. The residents had high identity with the positive sociocultural effects, but weak perception to the negative effects. The residents in the 3 resettlement spots had obvious differences in the perception to the effects on resources and environment, but mostly agreed that the negative psychological effects were not so obvious. The negative comments were given to the main migration policies. Age, educational level, monthly income, and proportion of tourism input were the main factors affecting the residents’ perception, and the way of resettlement as well as the proportion of tourism input also had important effects on the residents’ perception. Migration policy was the dominant factor affecting the integral perception of the residents to ecological migration.

Effects of riparian ecological restoration engineering with offshore wave-elimination weir on restoration area’s water quality.

TANG Hao1, ZHANG Hui2， XIE Fei2, XU Chi1, WANG Lei2, LIU Mao-song1

2012, 23(06):  1671-1676. 

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Riparian ecological restoration engineering with offshore wave-elimination weir is an engineering measure with piled wave-elimination weir some meters away from the shore. This measure can dissipate waves, promote sediment deposition, and create an artificial semi-closed bay to restore vegetation in a riparian area which has hard dam and destroyed vegetation. Three habitat gradient zones, i.e., emerged vegetation zone, submerged vegetation zone, and open water area, can be formed after this engineering. In June 2010-May 2011, a field investigation was conducted on the water quality in the three zones in an ecological restoration area of Gonghu Bay, Taihu Lake. The water body inside the weir generally had lower concentrations of nitrite and nitrate but higher concentrations of ammonium and total nitrogen than the water body outside the weir. The water phosphorus concentration inside the weir was lower than that outside the weir in autumn and winter, while an opposite trend was observed in spring and summer. The coefficients of variation of the water body’s nitrite and orthophosphate concentration inside the weir decreased, and the annual maximum values of the water nitrite, nitrate, and orthophosphate concentrations inside the weir were lower than those outside the weir. On the contrary, the coefficients of variation of the water body’s ammonium and total nitrogen concentrations inside the weir increased, and the annual maximum values of the water ammonium and total nitrogen concentrations nside the weir were higher than those outside the weir. To some extent, the restoration engineering could exacerbate the deterioration of the water quality indices such as ammonium and total nitrogen in the restoration area by the end of growth season.

Control effect of different covering patterns on indigenous nutrient release from sediment.

ZHANG Wei1,2, XIONG Bang1,2, LIN Kuang-fei1,2, LI Hai-fang1,2, GUO Mei-jin3, CUI Xin-hong4, WANG Bin4

2012, 23(06):  1677-1681. 

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A laboratory simulation experiment was conducted to study the release of sediment phosphorous and nitrogen under the effects of coating the sediment with plastic, clinoptilolite, calcite, quartz sand, and calcium nitrate, aimed to provide scientific basis and technical support to control the sediment nutrient release under the background of water environment pollution by different concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus. The control efficacy of test coating materials for sediment total phosphorous release was in the order of plastic > calcium nitrate > clinoptilolite > calcite > quartz sand, and that for sediment total nitrogen release was in the order of clinoptilolite > plastic > calcite > quartz sand > calcium nitrate. As for the release of sediment NO₃^--N, the control efficacy of test coating materials was calcium nitrate > quartz sand > clinoptilolite > calcite > plastic coating; whereas for the release of sediment NH₄⁺-N, the sequence was calcium nitrate > plastic coating > clinoptilolite > calcite > quartz sand. Water temperature had definite relativity to the sediment nutrient release. With the increase of water temperature, the concentrations of water total phosphorous and nitrogen and NO₃^--N increased, while the concentration of water NH₄⁺-N presented a declining trend.

Applications of macroinvertebrate community index and quantitative macroinvertebrate community index in monitoring and assessing river water quality.

GAO Peng-cheng1,2, Russell G. Death2, Fiona Death2

2012, 23(06):  1682-1688. 

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This paper introduced the principles and applications of macroinvertebrate community index(MCI) and quantitative macroinvertebrate community index (QMCI) commonly used in New Zealand, and applied them to monitor and assess 53 sites in 40 rivers in Wellington region of the Country. Both MCI and QMCI were correlated with the rivers nutrients enrichment significantly, suggesting that it was possible to use the two indices to monitor and assess the nutrient pollution of water body. The MCI and QMCI could rapidly and easily assess water body quality, and the assessment showed that in Wellington region, the rivers water quality was overall good, but some of the rivers were poor in water quality. There was a significant correlation between MCI and QMCI, but, as compared with QMCI, MCI was better correlated with the rivers nutrients enrichment, and thus, recommended to be applied to assess water body quality. The aim of this paper was to introduce the related researchers in China how to use MCI and QMCI in monitoring and assessing water body quality, and gave some ideas on improving the development of biotic index with macroinvertebrates in rivers water quality assessment in China.

Residual level and ecological risk assessment of OCPs and PCBs in sediments of mudflat shellfish culturing areas in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province of East China.

ZHU Yun-hai1, YOU Zhong-jie1,2, SHENTU Ji-kang2, ZHONG Hui-ying2, CHAI Li-yue2

2012, 23(06):  1689-1694. 

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GC-ECD methods were adopted to determine the residual level of OCPs (including HCHs and DDTs) and PCBs in the surface sediments collected from mudflat shellfish culturing areas in Ningbo, with the sources of the OCPs and PCBs analyzed and the ecological risks of the residual OCPs and PCBs evaluated. The residual level of OCPs was 0.80-32.40 ng·g^-1, and that of PCBs was 3.20-33.33 ng·g^-1. The HCHs mainly came from long distance atmospheric transportation and historical residues, while the DDTs had new input at some sites, possibly coming from the application of dicofol. At most sites, there existed potential ecological risks of p,p’-DDT and DDTs, with strong indications in Qiangtou and Xidian where the residual level of p,p’-DDT was higher than the effect rang median (ERM), suggesting an ecological menace to the benthos. The residual PCBs at most sites were in low level ecological risk.

Construction of individualbased ecological model for Scomber japonicas at its early growth stages in East China Sea.

LI Yue-song1, CHEN Xin-jun1,2,3, YANG Hong1

2012, 23(06):  1695-1703. 

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By adopting FVCOM-simulated 3-D physical field and based on the biological processes of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicas) in its early life history from the individual-based biological model, the individual-based ecological model for S. japonicas at its early growth stages in the East China Sea was constructed through coupling the physical field in March-July with the biological model by the method of Lagrange particle tracking. The model constructed could well simulate the transport process and abundance distribution of S. japonicas eggs and larvae. The Taiwan Warm Current, Kuroshio, and Tsushima Strait Warm Current directly affected the transport process and distribution of the eggs and larvae, and indirectly affected the growth and survive of the eggs and larvae through the transport to the nursery grounds with different water temperature and foods. The spawning grounds in southern East China Sea made more contributions to the recruitment to the fishing grounds in northeast East China Sea, but less to the Yangtze estuary and Zhoushan Island. The northwestern and southwestern parts of spawning grounds had strong connectivity with the nursery grounds of Cheju and Tsushima Straits, whereas the northeastern and southeastern parts of the spawning ground had strong connectivity with the nursery grounds of Kyushu and Pacific Ocean.

Mechanisms of nitrous oxide emission during livestock manure aerobic composting.

WU Wei-xiang1,2, LI Li-jie1,2, LU Hao-hao1,3, WANG Cheng1,2, DENG Hui1,2

2012, 23(06):  1704-1712. 

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Aerobic composting is an effective way to treat and recycle livestock manure. However, the aerobic composting of livestock manure is a potential source of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N₂O), which closely relates to the global greenhouse effect and ozone depletion. With the expansion of livestock industry and the dramatic increasing yield of manure compost, the N₂O emission during the aerobic composting has become a severe problem. The researches on the mechanisms of N₂O emission during livestock manure composting have attracted increasing concerns. In this paper, the recent researches on the N₂O generation approaches, emission dynamics, potential affecting factors, and microbiological mechanisms of N₂O emission during livestock manure aerobic composting were reviewed, and the measures to control the N₂O emission during composting process were summarized. Some perspectives for the future researches in this field were suggested.

Occurrence and ecological consequences of transgenic rice gene flow: A review.

LIU Yong-bo, LI Jun-sheng, ZHAO Cai-yun, XIAO Neng-wen, GUAN Xiao

2012, 23(06):  1713-1720. 

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China is one of the origin centers of rice (Oryza sativa), with a distribution of abundant wild rice germplasm resources. Since the biosafety certificates were issued to Bt transgenic rice containing cry1Ac gene against lepidopteran pests, concerns are raised on the gene flow from transgenic rice to its wild relatives. This paper reviewed the occurrence of transgenic rice gene flow and its potential ecological consequences. Most studies suggested that transgenic rice could  successfully hybridize with cultivated rice, wild rice (O. rufipogon), red rice (O. sativa f. spontanea), and barnyard grass (Echinochloa caudata),  and the gene flow from transgenic rice had a lower occurrence frequency and was highly variable. Once the gene flow successfully occurred, the transgenes could introgress into a wild population within only a few generations because of the fitness advantage of transgenic rice due to the new selective traits of transgenes. When the transgenic plants invaded and persisted in a wild population, the dynamic changes of the mixed population would depend on the relative fitness and competition capability. To study the effects of the gene flow of transgenic rice and its longterm ecological consequences would have significance in rationally protecting and utilizing wild rice germplasm resources in China.

Research progress on plate mixed culture of lignocellulolytic microorganisms.

CHEN Yao-ning1,2, ZHAO Ming-jie1,2, ZENG Guang-ming1,2, YU Zhen1,2, ZHANG Jia-chao1,2, YU Yong1,2, HU Chun-xiao1,2

2012, 23(06):  1721-1727. 

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Mixed culture of microorganisms has been widely used for the research of lignocellulose transformation and degradation, but the results of the mixed culture are largely affected by the interactions of different lignocellulolytic microorganisms. At present, the researches on these interactions are mainly based on plate mixed culture assay. For this assay, two types of plate were used, namely, basic medium plate and improved medium plate. The basic medium plate is mainly used for the study of colony morphology, mycelia color, exocellular volatile organic compounds, and exocellular enzyme activity, whereas the improved medium plate is used for comparative study, with the carbon sources replaced by natural lignocelloses. This paper summarized the present research status and advancement about the plate mixed culture of lignocellulolytic microorganisms, and put forward a prospect about the focuses of future research in this field.

Quantitative estimation of vegetation cover and management factor in USLE and RUSLE models by using remote sensing data: A review.

WU Chang-guang1, LI Sheng1, REN Hua-dong1, YAO Xiao-hua1, HUANG Zi-jie2

2012, 23(06):  1728-1732. 

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Soil loss prediction models such as universal soil loss equation (USLE) and its revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) are the useful tools for risk assessment of soil erosion and planning of soil conservation at regional scale. To make a rational estimation of vegetation cover and management factor, the most important parameters in USLE or RUSLE, is particularly important for the accurate prediction of soil erosion. The traditional estimation based on field survey and measurement is time-consuming, laborious, and costly, and cannot rapidly extract the vegetation cover and management factor at macro-scale. In recent years, the development of remote sensing technology has provided both data and methods for the estimation of vegetation cover and management factor-over broad geographic areas. This paper summarized the research findings on the quantitative estimation of vegetation cover and management factor by using remote sensing data, and analyzed the advantages and the disadvantages of various methods, aimed to provide reference for the further research and quantitative estimation of vegetation cover and management factor at large scale.