Table of Content

18 May 2014, Volume 25 Issue 5

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Woody plant species composition and community structure in residual fragments of broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forests in Changbai Mountains area.

SONG Hou-juan1,2, YE Ji1, SHI Shuai1,2, ZHANG Zhao-chen1,2, KUANG Xu1,2, XING Ding-liang1,2, YUAN Zuo-qiang1, LIN Fei1,2, WANG Xu-gao1, HAO Zhan-qing1

2014, 25(5):  1239-1249. 

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The broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest represents the typical vegetation type of the eastern mountain area in Northeast China. However, due to the interference of human activities, the natural broadleaved Korean pine forest only distributes in some residual fragments with unequal areas in Changbai Mountains and Small Hinggan Mountains. To compare and analyze the similarities and differences of broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forests in the different areas, we established six forest plots following the field protocol of the 50 hm² forest plot in Panama (Barro Colorado Island, BCI) in 2012 in Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve in Jilin Province and the eastern mountain area in Liaoning Province. All free-standing plant species with DBH (diameter at breast height) ≥1 cm were mapped, tagged and identified to species. The results showed that there were 69 woody species in the six plots, comprising 42 genera and 24 families. Aceraceae was the most speciesrich family in all six plots. Most species belonged to the plant type of North Temperate Zone, with a minor subtropical plant species component. The statistics of species abundance, basal area, mean DBH, and importance value showed that there were obviously dominant species in each community. The DBH distribution of all individuals showed a reversed “J” type. However, the percentage of individuals in small size-class and large size-class varied in the six communities, which indicated that these communities were at different successional stages. Ranked by the importance value, the DBH distribution of the top three species in the six plots showed four distribution types: reversed “J” distribution, reversed “L” distribution, unimodal distribution, and partial peak distribution. Spatial distribution patterns of the main species in the six plots changed differently with species and size-class, and the distribution patterns of the same species varied in the different plots.

Ecologically critical areas of broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest in Changbai Mountains, China.

YU Lin-qian, LI Jing-wen, ZHAO Xiu-hai, MA Lin, WU Shang, BAI Xue-qi

2014, 25(5):  1250-1258. 

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In order to improve the protection system to reduce the damage of biodiversity and protect broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest, 64 forest farms from 6 Forestry Bureaus around Changbai Mountains Nature Reserve were investigated and analyzed. A total of 41 plants were selected as key protected plants, and felling area, cropland, mining area, highway, railway and residential area were considered as the disturbance factors. GAP and GIS spatial analysis were used to draw the indicator plant and disturbance intensity distribution maps. The results showed that the indicator species distribution was uneven. The indicator plant enrichment regions were located on the north western and southern slopes centered with Shengli and Lenggouzi forest farms of Quanyang County, respectively, and single distributions of the endemic plants were found in Baoshan, Henshan, Lenggouzi and Heishan forest farms. The different disturbance severities were observed in the different forest farms, among which the north part in Lushuihe and Baihe forest farms were severely disrupted. Two ecologically critical areas, QuanyangLushuiheBaihe on the north slope of Changbai Mountains and the east part of Changbai County on the south slope, were determined based on the comprehensive analysis.

Variation of forest vegetation carbon storage and carbon sequestration rate in Liaoning Province, Northeast China.

ZHEN Wei1,2, HUANG Mei1, ZHAI Yin-li2, CHEN Ke2, GONG Ya-zhen3

2014, 25(5):  1259-1265. 

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The forest vegetation carbon stock and carbon sequestration rate in Liaoning Province, Northeast China, were predicted by using Canadian carbon balance model (CBMCFS3) combining with the forest resource data. The future spatiotemporal distribution and trends of vegetation carbon storage, carbon density and carbon sequestration rate were projected, based on the two scenarios, i.e. with or without afforestation. The result suggested that the total forest vegetation carbon storage and carbon density in Liaoning Province in 2005 were 133.94 Tg and 25.08 t·hm^-2, respectively. The vegetation carbon storage in Quercus was the biggest, while in Robinia pseudoacacia was the least. Both Larix olgensis and broadleaved forests had higher vegetation carbon densities than others, and the vegetation carbon densities of Pinus tabuliformis, Quercus and Robinia pseudoacacia were close to each other. The spatial distribution of forest vegetation carbon density in Liaoning Province showed a decrease trend from east to west. In the eastern forest area, the future increase of vegetation carbon density would be smaller than those in the northern forest area, because most of the forests in the former part were matured or over matured, while most of the forests in the later part were young. Under the scenario of no afforestation, the future increment of total forest vegetation carbon stock in Liaoning Province would increase gradually, and the total carbon sequestration rate would decrease, while they would both increase significantly under the afforestation scenario. Therefore, afforestation plays an important role in increasing vegetation carbon storage, carbon density and carbon sequestration rate.

Estimating leaf area index of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) plantations based on texture parameters of Quickbird imagery.

ZHOU Jing-jing, ZHAO Zhong, LIU Jin-liang, ZHAO Qing-xia, ZHAO Jun

2014, 25(5):  1266-1274. 

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The black locust plantations located in Weibei area were chosen as research objects and the texture parameters of different window sizes from high resolution imagery were measured. Four different techniques, including simple linear regression model, quadratic regression model, power model and exponential model, were developed to describe the relationship between the texture parameters and field measurements of LAI and to select the most effective texture parameters and window size. The results showed that the texture parameters influenced the accuracy of LAI estimation. Angular second moment and entropy index yielded better adjust r² than the other parameters. The r² changed with the window size. Dissimilarity and contrast index gained the largest r² when the window size was 9×9. The r² of the other texture parameters reduced as the window size increased and a window size of 3×3 was more successful than any of the others. Power equation performed poorest than the other three techniques for estimation of LAI.

Effects of simulated nitrogen deposition on growth and phosphorus efficiency of Pinus massoniana under low phosphorus stress.

PANG Li1,2, ZHANG Yi1, ZHOU Zhi-chun1, FENG Zhong-ping3, CHU De-yu3

2014, 25(5):  1275-1282. 

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Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition dramatically raised in recent decades, resulting in increases of soil N availability and N/P ratio, which would impact plant growth and P efficiency under low P stress. Taking breeding population of Pinus massoniana as test materials, a pot experiment was conducted to simulate two P conditions, i.e., homogeneous low P availability vs. heterogeneous low P among soil layers, in combination with two N deposition levels on growth traits and P absorption and utilization efficiency of P. massoniana. Under the homogeneous low phosphorus condition, growth traits and P efficiency of P. massoniana were not significantly improved by simulated nitrogen deposition, but significant nitrogen × family interaction effect was detected, with the biomass of family 40×44 and 71×20 being increased, 36×29 and 73×23 being decreased. Under the heterogeneous low P condition, significant N effects on the seedling height, biomass and P absorption efficiency were observed, due to promoted root length and root distribution ratio of topsoil. In addition, the effects of simulated N deposition on growth and P efficiency of P. massoniana were relevant to the N/P ratio. Under the homogeneous low P condition, the N/P ratio of P. massoniana plant was 13.8, plants exhibited a low sensitivity to simulated N deposition, root secreted APase activity was increased but the plant growth was not promoted. In comparison, the plant N/P ratio was 9.7 under the heterogeneous low P condition, and the plant growth and P efficiency were significantly promoted, while no obvious change occurred in root secreted APase activity.

Changes in vegetation and soil characteristics under tourism disturbance in lakeside wetland of northwest Yunnan Plateau, Southwest China.

TANG Ming-yan, YANG Yong-xing

2014, 25(5):  1283-1292. 

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The characteristics of vegetation and soil were investigated in Bita Lake and Shudu Lake wetlands in northwest Yunnan Plateau under tourism disturbance. The 22 typical plots in the wetlands were classified into 4 types by TWINSPAN, including primary wetland, light degradation, moderate degradation, and severe degradation. Along the degradation gradient, the plant community density, coverage, species number and Shannon diversity index increased and the plant height decreased in Bita Lake and Shudu Lake wetlands, and Whittaker diversity index increased in Bita Lake wetland. Plant species number, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, porosity, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium contents were higher in Shudu Lake wetland than in Bita Lake wetland, but the plant density, height, soil total potassium and pH were opposite. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) by importance values of 42 plants and 11 soil variables showed that soil organic matter, total nitrogen and total potassium were the key factors on plant species distribution in Bita Lake and Shudu Lake wetlands under tourism disturbance. TWINSPAN classification and analysis of vegetationsoil characteristics indicated the effects of tourism disturbance in Bita Lake wetland were larger than in Shudu Lake wetland.

Effects of snow pack on soil nitrogen transformation enzyme activities in a subalpine Abies faxioniana forest of western Sichuan, China.

XIONG Li, XU Zhen-feng, WU Fu-zhong, YANG Wan-qin, YIN Rui, LI Zhi-ping, GOU Xiao-lin, TANG Shi-shan

2014, 25(5):  1293-1299. 

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This study characterized the dynamics of the activities of urease, nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase in both soil organic layer and mineral soil layer under three depths of snow pack (deep snowpack, moderate snowpack and shallow snowpack) over the three critical periods (snow formed period, snow stable period, and snow melt period) in the subalpine Abies faxoniana forest of western Sichuan in the winter of 2012 and 2013. Throughout the winter, soil temperature under deep snowpack increased by 46.2% and 26.2%, respectively in comparison with moderate snowpack and shallow snowpack. In general, the three nitrogen-related soil enzyme activities under shallow snowpack were 0.8 to 3.9 times of those under deep snowpack during the winter. In the beginning and thawing periods of seasonal snow pack, shallow snowpack significantly increased the activities of urease, nitrate and nitrite reductase enzyme in both soil organic layer and mineral soil layer. Although the activities of the studied enzymes in soil organic layer and mineral soil layer were observed to be higher than those under deep and moderate snowpacks in deep winter, no significant difference was found under the three snow packs. Meanwhile, the effects of snowpack on the activities of the measured enzymes were related with season, soil layer and enzyme type. Significant variations of the activities of nitrogen-related enzymes were found in three critical periods over the winter, and the three measured soil enzymes were significantly higher in organic layer than in mineral layer. In addition, the activities of the three measured soil enzymes were closely related with temperature and moisture in soils. In conclusion, the decrease of snow pack induced by winter warming might increase the activities of soil enzymes related with nitrogen transformation and further stimulate the process of wintertime nitrogen transformation in soils of the subalpine forest.

Effects of drought stress on growth and water use efficiency of two medicinal plants.

CHEN Ping1, MENG Ping1, ZHANG Jin-song1, HE Chun-xia1, JIA Chang-rong2, LI Jian-zhong2

2014, 25(5):  1300-1306. 

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Growth characteristics, stable carbon isotope discrimination (Δ¹³C), water use efficiency (WUE), and their correlation of Cassia obtusifolia and Isatis indigotica were measured at three soil water levels, i.e., 30%, 50% and 75% of field water holding capacity (FWHC), and at three growth stages. The growth indices of the two medicinal plants at 75% of FWHC were higher than those at 30% and 50% of FWHC, suggesting that the two medicinal plants could obtain high production under sufficient moisture condition. The Δ¹³CA (aboveground biomassbased Δ¹³C) and Δ¹³CT(total biomassbased Δ¹³C) decreased, and the WUE-A(aboveground biomassbased WUE) and WUE-T(total biomassbased WUE) of C. obtusifolia and I. indigotica increased with the increasing degree of drought stress. The growth indices of the two medicinal plants had little difference in the different water treatments, which indicated that the two medicinal plants were insensitive to drought stress. Water use efficiency of I. indigotica had significant negative relationships with aboveground biomass and total biomass, while that of C. obtusifolia had a significant positive correlation with the root/shoot ratio.

Effects of stand structure regulation on soil labile organic carbon in Pinus elliottii plantation.

TAN Gui-xia1,2, LIU Yuan-qiu2, LI Lian-lian2, LIU Wu2, ZAN Yu-ting2, HUO Bing-nan2, HE Mu-jiao2

2014, 25(5):  1307-1312. 

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Taking 21-year-old Pinus elliottii pure plantation as the control, effects of enrichment planting with broadleaf trees (Liquidambar fornosana) after thinning the conifer trees (P. elliottii) on soil labile organic carbon of different plantations, including 3-year-old, 6-year-old, 9-year-old P. elliottii and 21-year-old P. elliottii-L. fornosana mixed plantations, were investigated. The results showed that the contents of soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC), readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) significantly increased in the 6-year-old and 9-year-old  plantations compared with those in the 21-yearold P. elliottii pure plantation. Soil labile organic carbon contents in the 21-year-old P. elliottii-L. fornosana mixed plantation increased significantly than those in 3-year-old, 6-year-old, 9-year-old stands, and the DOC, ROC and MBC contents increased by 113.1%, 53.3% and 54.6%, respectively, compared with those in the 21-year-old P. elliottii pure plantation. The results suggested that  replanting with broadleaf trees are an effective measure to improve the soil ecological function in pure P. elliottii plantation.

Community structure and distribution of riparian Bambusa rigida along lower Gongjiang River, China.

LIAO Zhong-ming1,2, GUO Xiao-min1, HUANG Hong-lan2, YE Zhang-di3

2014, 25(5):  1313-1318. 

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The community structure and distribution of secondary riparian Bambusa rigida in lower Gongjiang River were studied by the transect sampling method and reverse ageclass addition. The species in tree and shrub layers in the riparian B. rigida community had the strong native trait. Along the river gradient, the associated species in tree and shrub layers were fragmented, and associated with shore highland plants, suggesting that their distribution did not meet the RCC theory of continuous riparian law. Plant species in herb layer was in accordance with the RCC law, and the species abundance in lower reach was the greatest with 29 families, 55 genera, and 70 species. B. rigida was absolutely dominant in the riparian communities and adapted to the regulation of tree density and physiological integration. The proliferation ratio of B. rigida rapidly decreased to become stabilized, and the degree of its clump dispersion pattern gradually increased. The average density of secondary riparian B. rigida was 114-141 bamboo trees per clump, and the community was in the mid and late succession stage.

Root system distribution and biomechanical characteristics of Bambusa oldhami

LI Qian1, ZHOU Ben-zhi1, AN Yan-fei1, XU Sheng-hua2

2014, 25(5):  1319-1326. 

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To determine the mechanism of soil stabilizing through Bambusa oldhami root system, the vertical distribution of B. oldhami root system in soil was investigated, and the tensile strength of individual root and soil shear strength were measured in B. oldhami forest. The dry mass, length, surface area and volume of the B. oldhami root system decreased with the increasing soil depth, with more than 90% of the root system occurring in the 0-40 cm soil layer. The root class with D≤1 mm occupied the highest percentage of the total in terms of root length, accounting for 79.6%, but the lowest percentage of the total in terms of root volume, accounting for 8.2%. The root class with D≥2 mm was the opposite, and the root class with D=1-2 mm stayed in between. The maximum tensile resistance of B. oldhami root, either with 12% moisture content or a saturated moisture content, increased with the increasing root diameter, while the tensile strength decreased with the increasing root diameter in accordance with power function. Tensile strength of the root, with either of the two moisture contents, was significantly different among the diameter classes, with the highest tensile strength occurring in the root with D≤1 mm and the lowest in the root with D≥2 mm. The tensile strength of root with 12% moisture content was significantly higher than that with the saturated moisture content, and less effect of moisture content on root tensile strength would occur in thicker roots. The shear strengths of B. oldhami forest soil and of bare soil both increased with the increasing soil depth. The shear strength of B. oldhami forest soil had a linear positive correlation with the root content in soil, and was significantly higher than that of bare soil. The shear strength increment in B. oldhami forest was positively correlated with the root content in soil according to an exponential function, but not related significantly with soil depth.

Adaptability analysis of FAO Penman-Monteith model over typical underlying surfaces in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China.

JIA Zhi-jun1, HAN Lin1, WANG Ge2, ZHANG Tong-shun3

2014, 25(5):  1327-1334. 

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It is very important for studying surface energy and water balance to improve the accuracy of evapotranspiration (ET) estimation. Based on eddy covariance measurements and microclimate observational data available, comparisons were done in accuracy of simulating ET with the FAO PenmanMonteith  model from the marshland, rice paddy and soybean field in the Sanjiang Plain. The results showed that the values of ET simulated with the model over marshland was significantly higher than the measured one (averagely 81.8% higher) when the crop coefficients recommend by FAO were adopted, and its modeling efficiency  was negative, which indicated that the ET from the marshland couldn’t be simulated by the model. While the seasonal variation of ET over rice paddy and soybean field could be simulated by the model and the accuracy in simulating ET from rice paddy was better than that from soybean field. Crop coefficients  (K_c) of marshland, rice paddy and soybean field were all significantly positively related to leaf area index, and crop coefficient of soybean field was also significantly negatively related to vapor pressure deficit. With K_c modified through linear regression, the FAO Penman-Monteith model markedly improved the estimation accuracy for marshland, rice paddy and soybean field, with the mean bias error  ranging from -0.1 to 0.3 mm·d^-1, root mean square error  ranging from 0.50 to 0.67 mm·d^-1 and modeling efficiency  ranging from 0.69 to 0.85. Still, the accuracy in simulating ET from rice paddy was superior to that from the other two underlying surfaces. The FAO PenmanMonteith model was suitable to simulate the ET from rice paddy whether the crop coefficient was modified or not. However, the crop coefficient must be modified if the model was used to simulate the ET from marshland and soybean field.

Effects of irrigation amount on morphological characteristics and water use of Jatropha curcas.

YANG Qi-liang1, ZHANG Jing1, LIU Xiao-gang1, YUAN Li-chun2, LIU Yan-wei1, YANG Ju-rui1

2014, 25(5):  1335-1339. 

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Jatropha curcas is the most promising energy tree, and soil moisture is the key factor which affects the seedling quality and water use efficiency of J. curcas. With aims to evaluate the effect of different irrigation amount on growth, morphological characteristics and water use of J. curcas, a pot experiment was conducted with four irrigation amounts, i.e., W₁：472.49 mm, W₂：228.79 mm, W₃：154.18 mm and W₄：106.93 mm, respectively. Compared with W₁ treatment, the leaf area and stem crosssection area of base significantly decreased in W₂, W₃ and W₄ treatments, but Huber value significantly increased, which could improve the efficiency of water transfer from root to shoot, thus enhance the capability of resistance to drought stress. Compared with W₁ treatment, the healthy index of J. curcas seedlings decreased slightly in W₂ treatment but significantly decreased in W₃ and W₄ treatments. Hence, the irrigation amount from 228.79 to 472.49 mm was beneficial to increase the healthy index of J. curcas seedlings. Compared with W₁ treatment, irrigation water was saved by 67.4% in W₃ treatment, and the total dry mass and evapotranspiration significantly decreased by 17.4% and 68.6%, and the irrigation water use efficiency and total water use efficiency increased by 153.2% and 163.2%, respectively. In the condition of this study, the irrigation amount of 154.18 mm was beneficial to increase water use efficiency.

Characteristics of soil organic carbon mineralization at different temperatures in paddy soils under long-term fertilization.

LIN Shan1, CHEN Tao2, ZHAO Jin-song1, XIANG Rong-biao1, HU Rong-gui1, ZHANG Shui-qing3, WANG Mi-lan1, LU Zhao-qi1

2014, 25(5):  1340-1348. 

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Dynamics of soil organic carbon mineralization affected by long-term fertilizations and temperature in relation to different soil carbon fractions were investigated in paddy soils. Soil samples were collected from the plough layer of 3 longterm national experimental sites in Xinhua, Ningxiang and Taojiang counties of Hunan Province. Mineralization of soil organic C Symbol`@@was estimated by 33-day aerobic incubation at different temperatures of 10, 20 and 30 ℃. The results showed that the rates of CO₂ production were higher during the earlier phase (0-13 d) in all treatments, and then decreased according to a logarithm function. Higher incubation temperature strengthened C mineralization in the different treatments. The quantities of cumulative CO₂ production in NPK with manure or straw treatments were greater than in inorganic fertilizers treatments. The Q₁₀ values in the different soil treatments ranged from 1.01-1.53. There were significantly positive correlations between the Q₁₀ values and soil total organic carbon (TOC), easy oxidation organic carbon (EOOC), humic acid carbon (C_HA), fulvic acid carbon (C_FA). The cumulative amount of mineralized C was significantly positively correlated with microbial biomass carbon (MBC) at 10 and 20 ℃, but not significantly at 30 ℃. Significant correlations were found between the cumulative
amount of mineralized C and different soil carbon fractions and C_HA/C_FA. The correlations of different soil carbon fractions with the ratio of cumulative mineralized C to TOC were negatively correlated at 10 ℃, but not significantly at 20 and 30 ℃. These results suggested that the application of NPK with manure or straw would be helpful to increase the sequestration of C in paddy soils and reduce its contribution of CO₂ release in the atmosphere.

Impacts of nighttime warming on rice growth stage and grain yield of leading varieties released in different periods in Jiangsu Province, China.

ZHANG Xin1, CHEN Jin2, JIANG Yu3, DENG Ai-xing1, SONG Zhen-wei1, ZHENG Cheng-yan1, ZHANG Wei-jian1,3

2014, 25(5):  1349-1356. 

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A field experiment was conducted to investigate the actual impacts of nighttime warming on rice growth stage and grain yield in Danyang, Jiangsu Province, with 8 leading varieties approved and released during 1970s-2000s. The field was warmed at nighttime for an entire growth stage (i.e. sown date to harvest) with a Free Air Temperature Increase (FATI) facility. The results showed that there were significant differences in the extents of warming impact on rice growth stage and grain yield among the leading varieties, though the impact trends were similar. An increase of 0.9 ℃ in nighttime mean temperature in rice canopy could shorten the length of rice entire growth stage by 1.3 d. Nighttime warming tended to decrease postanthesis green leaves area and the flag leaf area, and to decline rice aboveground biomass production and grain yield by 3.5% and 5.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, nighttime warming decreased the plant nitrogen concentration at maturity. Nighttime warming reduced the grain yield mainly through decreasing the effective panicles and grain numbers per panicle. There was no stable changing trend in the differences in warming impacts on the varieties released in the different periods.

Effects of all-day warming on growth, development and yield of winter wheat cultivars bred in different periods.

GENG Ting1, CHEN Jin2, ZHANG Wei-jian1,3, CHEN Chang-qing1

2014, 25(5):  1357-1365. 

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A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of all-day warming on the growth, development and yield of winter wheat cultivars bred in different periods under free air temperature increase (FATI) in Xuzhou and Danyang, Jiangsu Province. Warming decreased the effective tillers by 5.2% and 9.6%, and the ineffective tillers by 15.6% and 9.7% in Xuzhou and Danyang, respectively. Plant height under FATI was higher in Xuzhou, but lower in Danyang than that of the control. Plant heights of the late cultivars were lower than that of the early cultivars. Warming increased the leaf area index for all cultivars. Warming increased the net photosynthetic rates of the winter wheat cultivars except for those bred in 1950-1960s and 1980s in Xuzhou and 1950-1960s and 1990s in Danyang. There were different changing tendencies of the night respiration rate among the winter wheat cultivars bred in different periods. Aboveground biomass and harvest index of all cultivars increased under FATI. Harvest index of late cultivars was higher than that of early cultivars in Xuzhou and Danyang. Growth period of different cultivars under FATI was all shortened, averagely by 3.2 and 4.1 d in Xuzhou and Danyang, respectively, mainly due to shortening the preheading stage (averagely by 7.5 and 8.5 d in Xuzhou and Danyang, respectively) and prolonging the filling stage (by average 4.3 d). Except for 1950-1960s cultivars in Xuzhou, the grain yields increased under FATI, averagely by 21.0% and 14.1% in Xuzhou and Danyang, respectively. Statistical analysis of variance showed that the warming-induced wheat yield changes were due to the changes in grain number per spike and effective spikes in Xuzhou and the change in 1000-grain mass in Danyang, respectively.

Effects of N and S application on grain filling characteristics and yield of winter wheat.

ZHAO Yu-xia, LI Na, ZHOU Fang, LI Xue-fang, WANG Lin-quan

2014, 25(5):  1366-1372. 

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A field experiment was conducted on the Guanzhong Plain, China, to evaluate the effects of N and S application on characteristics of winter wheat (cv. Xiaoyan 22) grain filling and yield, using a central composite rotatable design with two factors nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S). The results showed that, with the combined application of N and S, grain filling followed a “S” curve which increased slowly at first, then quickly, and then slowly again. With 108 and 267 kg N·hm^-2, the grain fill duration, theoretical maximum grain yield, and average filling rate decreased as the S application rate increased. With 97.5 and 202.5 kg S·hm^-2, N application improved grain filling parameter values. With 187.5 kg N·hm^-2 or 150 kg S·hm^-2, the parameters firstly increased, reached a maximum, and then decreased as the S or N input increased. Grain filling rate increased for 25 days following anthesis, and then declined at a rate that varied among treatments. When the N input was >187.5 kg·hm^-2 or the S input was >150 kg·hm^-2, the grain filling rate decreased with increasing the S or N input. The results also indicated that combined application of N and S fertilizers at appropriate rates could increase the head density and grain yield. Using the regression equations, highest grain yields estimates (≥3753 kg·hm^-2) were achieved with the combination of a high N rate (178.31-256.36 kg·hm^-2) and a moderate S rate (131.95-167.65 kg·hm^-2).

Effects of shading on endogenous hormones regulation in kernel development of summer maize in the field.

CUI Hai-yan, JIN Li-bin, LI Bo, DONG Shu-ting, LIU Peng, ZHAO Bin, ZHANG Ji-wang

2014, 25(5):  1373-1379. 

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Taking 3 maize hybrids, Zhenjie 2 (ZJ2), Denghai 605 (DH605) and Zhengdan 958 (ZD958) as test materials, the effects of shading on the physiological function of endogenous hormones during grain formation of summer maize were investigated in the field. The ambient sunshine treatment was used as the control (CK) and 3 shading treatments with a shading degree of 60% were designed in growth periods ranging from tasseling to maturity (S₁), from jointing to tasseling stage (S₂) and whole growing period (S₃), respectively. Results showed that the total floret number, filament number and pollination floret number decreased after shading in comparison with CK, and aborted seeds increased accordingly. The kernels per ear showed an order of CK>S₂>S₁>S₃, and those of S₁, S₂ and S₃ were 18.9%, 43.7% and 80.8% lower than that of CK. The IAA, GA and ZR contents of normal grain in the shading treatments were lower than in CK, while the ABA content was opposite. The same hormone change with grain growth in all treatments presented a similar trend. Compared to normal grains, the maximum value of IAA content in aborted grains shifted from the 20th day to the 10th day after pollination, with less IAA accumulation and rapid reduction, and the contents of GA and ZR decreased significantly, while that of ABA was still high at the 20th day after pollination. Therefore, the effects of shading on hormone contents in grains might lead to grain abortion and yield reduction.

Effects of high temperature and humidity stress at the physiological maturity stage on seed vigor, main nutrients and coat structure of spring soybean.

SHU Ying-jie1,2, WANG Shuang1, TAO Yuan1, SONG Li-ru1, HUANG Li-yan1, ZHOU Yu-li2, MA Hao1

2014, 25(5):  1380-1386. 

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A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of high temperature and humidity stress \[(40±2) ℃/(30±2) ℃, RH (95±5)%/(70±5)%, 10 h/14 h (day/night)\] at the physiological maturity stage  of two spring soybean cultivars (Xiangdou No. 3 and Ningzhen No. 1) on seed vigor indices, main nutritional components and coat anatomical structure. High temperature and humidity stress were found to cause the decrease of seed viability, germination potential, and germination percentage as well as the dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities, but increased the seed cell membrane permeability as well as H⁺, soluble sugar and leucine levels in the seed soaking liquid of each cultivar. Moreover, the stress led to irregular changes of seed oil and protein contents and alteration of anatomical structure of episperm and hilum in the two cultivars. A short-term stress (less than 5 h) had no significant impact on seed vigor, but a long-term one (more than 48 h) caused rapid decrease of seed vigor indices. Xiangdou No. 3 showed less decreases in seed germination potential and enzyme activities, and less increase in extravasation content in the seed soaking liquid, had compact seed coat and intact hilum, suggesting it was more resistant to high temperature and humidity stress.

Effects of root cutting under different seedling conditions on root system distribution and senescence character of peanut.

CHEN An-yu, ZHAO Chang-xing, WANG Yue-fu, FENG Kai, WANG Ming-lun

2014, 25(5):  1387-1394. 

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The effects of root cutting on root system distribution and senescence character of peanut （Arachis hypogaea） under different seedling conditions were investigated by using the box culture method. The results showed that, with three types of peanut seedlings, including overgrowing, strong and week seedlings, root cutting all first restricted and then promoted the root system growth, especially promoted the root growth to deep soil. This effect was stronger on the overgrowing and strong seedlings, while relatively weaker on the weak seedlings. After root cutting, root activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity all reduced at first, and then increased, compared with each control. The extents of decrease in root activity, SOD and POD activity were highest in the weak seedlings, lowest in the overgrowing seedlings, and moderate in the strong seedlings. However, in the later stage after root cutting, the extents of increase in root activity, SOD and POD activity were higher in the overgrowing and strong seedlings, than in the weak seedlings. Generally, root cutting could promote the root activity of peanut and delay the senescence.

Effects of exogenous silicon on physiological characteristics of cucumber seedlings under ammonium stress.

GAO Qing-hai, WANG Ya-kun, LU Xiao-min, JIA Shuang-shuang

2014, 25(5):  1395-1400. 

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The present study evaluated the effects of exogenous silicon on growth and physiological characteristics of hydroponically cultured cucumber seedlings under ammonium stress. The results showed that the growth, especially the aerial part growth of cucumber seedlings cultured with ammonium were significantly inhibited than those with nitrate, especially after treatment for 10 d, the aerial part fresh mass of cucumber seedlings were reduced 6.17 g per plant. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also promoted in cucumber seedlings under ammonium, and the contents of O^-·₂ and H₂O₂ were significantly increased in cucumber leaves. With the exogenous silicon treatment, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were significantly improved, the ability to remove reactive oxygen species was enhanced, the contents of O₂^-· and H₂O₂ were significantly reduced in cucumber leaves, decreasing the reactive oxygen damage to the cell membrane, and the ratio of electrolyte leakage and the content of MDA in cucumber leaves. Also, with exogenous silicon treatment, the plasma membrane and activity of vacuolar membrane H⁺-ATP was significantly increased, transport capacity of intracellular proton was improved, and the level of ammonium in cucumber body was significantly reduced, thereby reducing the toxicity of ammonium. In conclusion, exogenous silicon could relieve ammonium stress, by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activity, H⁺-ATP activity, and decreasing the ammonium content in cucumber seedlings.

Effects of nutrition medium on cucumber growth and soil microenvironment in greenhouse under continuous cropping.

WU Chun-cheng1,2, LI Tian-lai1, CAO Xia2, MENG Si-da1, ZHANG Yong-yong1, YANG Li-juan3

2014, 25(5):  1401-1407. 

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An experiment of continuous cropping of cucumber in nutrition medium (composted with straw, rural soil and puffed chicken manure) or soil was conducted in greenhouse in order to study the effects of medium type on the cucumber growth and soil microenvironment, respectively. The results showed that the two treatments both displayed different levels of obstacles resulted from continuous cropping. In the same cropping season, the nutrient content, soil invertase and urease activities and B/F(bacteria/fungi) ratio in the nutrition medium were obviously higher but fungi quantity was lower than in the soil medium, suggesting the use of nutrition medium changed the bacterial population structure as to improve the cucumber growth and yield. Under continuous cropping, correlation analysis showed that the bacterial quantity was significantly positively related with plant height and root dry mass, and markedly significantly positive correlation exited between the aboveground dry mass and yield of cucumber. The urease activity was also significantly positively related with the cucumber yield. Compared with the soil medium, the nutrition medium could greatly improve soil microenvironment and alleviate the continuous cropping obstacle.

Optimal nighttime temperature for tomato plant in greenhouse in autumn and winter.

MAO Li-ping1, REN Jun2, ZHANG Jian-guo1, YAN Shi-jiang1, LI Ya-ling3

2014, 25(5):  1408-1414. 

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In order to investigate the effect of nighttime temperature (NT) on adult stage tomato plants in greenhouse, an experiment was conducted by using natural light growth chamber. Tomato plants were treated with 4 nighttime temperature as natural NT (CK), 14, 16, and 18 ℃, on condition of the same daytime temperature (DT). Actual NT of CK, 14, 16, and 18 ℃ treatments were 13.1, 13.4, 14.7, and 16.3 ℃, respectively. Physiological response, photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and production of tomato plant under different NT treatments were determined. The results showed that, tomato plants under CK treatment suffered lower temperature press periodically, and the membrane system was damaged to some extent, resulting in the lowest dry matter accumulation and nearly no early yield (28 g mature fruit per plant). Compared with CK, dry matter accumulation of tomato plant under 14 ℃ treatment was increased significantly, early yield was 304 g per plant, and total production was increased by 58% (immature fruit included). As for the 18 ℃ treatment, the net photosynthetic rate (P_n) of tomato plant was significantly increased by 10.6%-12.5%, dry matter accumulation was increased by 26%, flower time was advanced by 4-12 days, fruit number per plant was 3.8, fresh matter per fruit was increased by 42.7 g, early yield per plant was 476 g, and the total production per plant was increased by 101%. All the items under 16 ℃ treatment were between those under 14 ℃ and 18 ℃ treatments. Therefore, at DT of 22 ℃, the low NT limit was 13.4 ℃ and the optimal NT should be above 16.3 ℃ for greenhouse tomato plants in autumn and winter in North China.

Effect of shifting sand burial on evaporation reduction and salt restraint under saline water irrigation in extremely arid region.

ZHANG Jian-guo1,2, ZHAO Ying1, XU Xin-wen2, LEI Jia-qiang2, LI Sheng-yu2, WANG Yong-dong2

2014, 25(5):  1415-1421. 

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The Taklimakan Desert Highway Shelterbelt is dripirrigated with high saline groundwater (2.58-29.70 g·L^-1), and shifting sand burial and watersalt stress are most common and serious problems in this region. So it is of great importance to study the effect of shifting sand burial on soil moisture evaporation, salt accumulation and their distribution for water saving, salinity restraint, and suitable utilization of local land and water resources. In this study, MicroLysimeters (MLS) were used to investigate dynamics of soil moisture and salt under different thicknesses of sand burial (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm), and field control experiments of dripirrigation were also carried out to investigate soil moisture and salt distribution under different thicknesses of shifting sand burial (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 cm). The soil daily and cumulative evaporation decreased with the increase of sand burial thickness in MLS, cumulative evaporation decreased by 2.5%-13.7% compared with control. And evaporative inhibiting efficiency increased with sand burial thickness, evaporative inhibiting efficiency of 1-5 cm sand burial was 16.7%-79.0%. Final soil moisture content beneath the interface of sand burial increased with sand burial thickness, and it increased by 2.5%-13.7% than control. The topsoil EC of shifting sand in MLS decreased by 1.19-6.00 mS·cm^-1 with the increasing sand burial thickness, whereas soil salt content beneath the interface in MLS increased and amplitude of the topsoil salt content was higher than that of the subsoil. Under dripirrigation with saline groundwater, average soil moisture beneath the interface of shifting sand burial increased by 0.4%-2.0% compare with control, and the highest value of EC was 7.77 mS·cm^-1 when the sand burial thickness was 10 cm. The trend of salt accumulation content at shifting sand surface increased firstly, and then decreased with the increasing sand burial thickness. Soil salt contents beneath the interface of shifting sand burial were much lower than that of shifting sand surface. 35 cm was the critical sand burial thickness for watersaving and salt restraint. In summary, sand burial had obvious inhibition effects on soil evaporation and salt accumulation, so maybe it could be used to save water and reduce salt accumulation in arid shifting desert areas.

Quantitative analysis of the built-up area expansion in Su-Xi-Chang region, China.

ZHOU Xiang, CHEN Liang, XIANG Wei-ning

2014, 25(5):  1422-1430. 

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Based on RS-derived maps and socio-economic statistics, this paper analyzed the spatio-temporal dynamic pattern and driving mechanism of built-up area expansion in Su-Xi-Chang region from 1990 to 2010. 3S-based spatial analysis techniques were used, landscape expansion indices were calculated, and multiple stepwise regression models were also used. In the past 20 years, the built-up area had experienced rapidmoderateaccelerating expansion stages, which was strongly affected by the national development strategies and policies regarding land use. During the study period, the built-up area had increased by 2218.9 km² mainly due to the encroaching from paddy field, dryland and artificial ponds. From 1990-1995, the pattern of builtup area expansion was dominated by the infilling and edge-expansion type; from 1995-2000, the outlyingtype had overplayed infilling and edge-expansion types due to policy restrictions on the latter; after 2000, the outlyingtype growth had decreased by a large extent, whereas the infilling mode had increased dramatically, which resulted in the spatially compact pattern of the newly built-up area. The increase of urban population and the boom of regional economy were the major driving forces of built-up area expansion. The study implied that improvements were urgently needed in land management system and high-efficiency use of cropland. Promoting the compact development of built-up area was also crucial for striving toward regional sustainability.

Evaluation of ecosystem service values of the forests of Shennongjia Nature Reserve.

LIU Yong-jie1,2, WANG Shi-chang1, PENG Hao1，3, LI Zhen-qing1

2014, 25(5):  1431-1438. 

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As an ecological protected area for rare animals and plants in a subtropical forest zone, Shennongjia National Reserve plays an important role in the study of biodiversity in China. By using the market value, shadeprice and opportunitycost methods, the forest ecosystem service values of Shennongjia National Nature Reserve were evaluated, including forest production, recreation and culture, water conservation, soil conservation, gas regulation, environment purification, nutrient circulation and biodiversity conservation. The total value of the Shennongjia Nature Reserve was approximately 204.33×10⁸ yuan RMB·a^-1. The values of the different functions were in order of biodiversity conservation (68.5%)> soil conservation (12.7%)> recreation and culture (4.9%)>gas regulation (4.8%)>forest production (4.2%)> water conservation (3.9%)> environment purification (0.7%)>nutrient circulation (0.3%). The values with respect to utility were in sequence of unused value (68.5%)> indirect value in use (22.4%)> direct value in use (9.1%).

Responses of ecosystem services value to land use change in national nature reserves in Xinjiang, China.

WANG Yan1,2, GAO Ji-xi1,2, WANG Jin-sheng1, LENG Ling3, QIU Jie2, YANG Shan-shan4

2014, 25(5):  1439-1446. 

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With GIS and RS technology, characteristics of land use change and ecosystem services value of different years in six national nature reserves in Xinjiang, China were analyzed with remote sensing image of the year 2000-2010. Results showed that the area of water body and grassland decreased while the area of forest, farmland, wetland, unused land and construction land increased in 2000-2010. Variation rate of land use change in 2000-2005 was faster, as 2.4-6.3 times as that in 2005-2010. The total ecosystem services value mostly consisted of that of water body, grassland and forest, accounting for 93% approximately. During the study, the values of all kinds of the ecosystem services increased except for grassland and water body, the total ecosystem services value increased firstly and then decreased, and overall emerged as a reducing trend with the rate of 1.2%. In the process of the development of the west regions, it is necessary to pay more attention to the protection of natural resources and ecosystem restoration, so as to achieve sustainable development of resources, environment and social economy in the western regions.

Evaluation of wetland ecological benefit and restoration in the natural reserves of western Jilin Province, China.

ZANG Zheng1，2, ZHENG De-feng1,2, SUN Cai-zhi1, ZHANG Yu1,2

2014, 25(5):  1447-1454. 

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In order to correctly evaluate wetland ecological benefit and restoration in the natural reserves of western Jilin Province, an index system of wetland ecological benefit assessment for nature reserves was established based on ecosystem service theory and catastrophe theory. Considering the diversity characteristics of ecological benefit, and consulting the research results of ecological benefit in study area in 2001, the analytic hierarchy process and entropy method were introduced to analyze the ecological benefit and restoration in 2005 and 2012. The results showed that the ecological benefit level was very high in Momoge Nature Reserve since 2005, high in Chaganhu and Xianghai nature reserves, and moderate in Dabusu Nature Reserve. This study showed that the assessment combining the catastrophe progression method with the analytic hierarchy process and entropy method could reveal the dynamics and the integrality of wetland ecological benefit, and accurately reflect the reality of the ecological restoration in study area. In recent years, some achievements in ecological protection and environmental remediation had been obtained in the west of Jilin Province, and the whole ecological benefit of the wetlands had been improved and enhanced by means of man-made effective interference.

System construction of early warning for ecological security at cultural and natural heritage mixed sites and its application: A case study of Wuyishan Scenery District.

YOU Wei-bin1, HE Dong-jin1, QIN De-hua2, JI Zhi-rong1, WU Li-yun1, YU Jian-an3, CHEN Bing-rong3， TAN Yong1

2014, 25(5):  1455-1467. 

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This paper proposed a new concept of ecological security for protection by a comprehensive analysis of the contents and standards of world heritage sites. A frame concept model named “PressureStateControl” for early warning of ecological security at world heritage mixed sites was constructed and evaluation indicators of this frame were also selected. Wuyishan Scenery District was chosen for a case study, which has been severely disturbed by natural and artificial factors. Based on the frame model of “PressureStateControl” and by employing extension analysis, the matterelement model was established to assess the ecological security status of this cultural and natural world heritage mixed site. The results showed that the accuracy of ecological security early warning reached 84%. Early warning rank wasⅠ level (no alert status) in 1997 and 2009, but that in 2009 had a higher possibility to convert into Ⅱ level. Likewise, the early-warning indices of sensitive ranks were different between 1997 and 2009. Population density, population growth rate, area index for tea garden, cultivated land owned per capita, level of drought, and investment for ecological and environmental construction were the main limiting factors to hinder the development of ecological security from 2009 to future. In general, the status of Wuyishan Scenery District ecological security was relatively good and considered as no alert level, while risk conditions also existed in terms of a few earlywarning indicators. We still need to pay more attention to serious alert indicators and adopt effective prevention and control measures to maintain a good ecological security status of this heritage site.

Effects of bacterial consortium EG03 on control of pepper bacterial wilt and rhizosphere microbial community characteristics in fields.

QIU Jing-ping1, HUANG Yan-xia2, WANG Chao2, YU Yi-yang2, KE Hong-jiao2, GUO Jian-hua2

2014, 25(5):  1468-1474. 

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Bacterial consortium EG03, consisted of several different antagonistic bacteria against Ralstonia solanacearum, was demonstrated to efficiently control bacterial wilt of pepper in field with a biocontrol efficacy of 85.8%. The traditional dilution plate method, the most probable number(MPN) method and Biolog system were adopted to determine effects of EG03 on characteristics of microbial community in pepper rhizosphere. It’s shown that EG03’s effects on microbial community in pepper rhizospheric soil varied with time. There were an increase in the number of fungus and Bacillus spp. to some extent and a significant increase in that of nitrogenfixing bacteria. Biolog analysis showed that the curve between average well color development (AWCD) and incubation time was Sshaped for all the treatments and that the AWCD of pepper rhizospheric soil at the early stage was higher than at the late stage. The analysis of carbon source utilization showed that EG03 decreased microbial utilization of carbon source in shortterm, and the microbial community of pepper rhizospheric soil at the late stage composed mainly of microbes depended on sugars as carbon resource. EG03 treatment could decrease the five microbial diversity indices of rhizospheric microbes in short term, then increased those indices instead, especially with significant(P<0.05) increases in Simpson index and McIntosh evenness.

Effects of inoculating plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on the biological characteristics of walnut (Juglans regia) rhizosphere soil under drought condition.

LIU Fang-chun, XING Shang-jun, MA Hai-lin, DU Zhen-yu, MA Bing-yao

2014, 25(5):  1475-1482. 

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Effects of four plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), namely Pseudomonas sp. YT3, Bacillus subtilis DZ1, B. cereus L90 and B. fusiformis L13 on the biological characteristics of walnut (Juglans regia) rhizosphere soil under drought stress were investigated. Results showed that drought stress had little effect on available nutrients of walnut rhizosphere soil, but significantly decreased the activity of organic carbon by 18.4% and increased the pH from 7.34 to 7.79. Under drought stress condition, the inoculation of Bacillus cereus L90 significantly increased highlabile organic carbon in walnut rhizosphere by 14.5% relative to the un-inoculated control, and decreased the pH to 7.41. Compared with the irrigated control, the total microbial populations, root exudates, microbial biomass carbon, and microbial biomass nitrogen in walnut rhizosphere soil were significantly decreased by 36.0%, 20.7%, 33.5% and 30.7%, respectively, because of drought stress. However, L90 inoculation decreased these deficits to 14.1%, 10.3%, 12.1% and 12.7%, respectively. Some terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs) disappeared under the drought condition and PGPR inoculation had great influence on T-RFs according to Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism  profiles. The Margalef index and the Shannon index of walnut rhizosphere soil significantly decreased, but the Simpson index increased relative to the irrigated control. Compared with the un-inoculated control, the Margalef index significantly increased from 0.42 to 0.99, as well as the Shannon index increased from 0.52 to 0.98. However, the Simpson index decreased from 0.60 to 0.39. Inoculating YT3, DZ1 and L13 had weaker effects on the biological characteristics of walnut rhizosphere soil compared to inoculating L90, suggesting L90 inoculation could interfere with the suppression of drought stress to the biological characteristics of walnut rhizosphere soil.

Nest habitat quality evaluation for the oriental great reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) in Baiyangdian Wetland.

ZHAO Zhi-xuan1,2,3, YAN deng-hua4, GENG Lei-hua1，2, LIN Jin1，2，3, FENG Hua-li1，2

2014, 25(5):  1483-1490. 

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The Baiyangdian Wetland Natural Reserve is an important breeding habitat for oriental great reed warbler (OGRWs), Acrocephalus orientalis, in North China Plain. We investigated the nesting sites of OGRWs by line transect method during June-July, 2011, and 112 nests were found out in total. The ecologicalniche factor analysis (ENFA) was applied in nesting habitat suitability assessment for OGRWs in Baiyangdian. The results showed that OGRWs in this reserve preferred nesting in dry land reed landscapes, which located at relatively high altitudes and away from anthropocentric disturbance. In 2011, the suitable and the most suitable nesting habitats of OGRWs in this reserve were 2474.69 hm² and 1131.19 hm², accounting 7.6% and 3.5% of the total reserve area, respectively. The most suitable nesting habitats shaped a circle-like structure, and they all clustered together around Damai and Shaoche core area, which located in the east part of the reserve. In order to protect the nesting habitats for OGRWs within Baiyangdian wetland reserve, it was suggested that the functional zone should be reorganized, and that the Damai and Shaoche core area should be integrated into one. This new core area would be bigger and more concentrated, at the same time the buffer zone should also be established appropriately, so as to protect the natural landscapes in this reserve as much as possible.

Photosynthetic activity of Gloiopeltis furcata (intertidal red macroalga) in response to desiccation.

LIU Hong-liang, LI Xue-meng, NAN Guo-ning, ZHANG Quan-sheng

2014, 25(5):  1491-1498. 

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In this study, the diurnal change of photosynthesis activity in response to various tidal patterns, the relationship between photosynthetic activity and tissue water content, and the interactive effect of desiccation and irradiance on photosynthetic activity in Gloiopeltis furcata were investigated by using portable pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer. Results showed that F_v/F_m decreased more rapidly during the noon low tide than during the morning or evening low tide. F_v/F_m decreased slowly at the beginning of desiccation during the morning low tide, but decreased rapidly throughout the evening low tide. F_v/F_m recovered to the initial values on the same day no matter when the low tide occurred, suggesting the occurrence of dynamic photoinhibition. These features endowed G. furcata with an ability to adapt to the periodic desiccation on high intertidal rocks. The maximum (F_v/F_m) and effective (Φ_PSⅡ) quantum yield declined with the decrease of tissue water content (TWC). However, photosynthetic activity could recover completely when TWC exceeded 6%, showing a strong ability of G. furcata to tolerate desiccation. The relationships between TWC and F_v/F_m and Φ_PSⅡ were as follows: F_v/F_m=0.68+(0.0044-0.68)/\[1+(TWC/66.96)⁵\], R²=0.99; Φ_PSⅡ=0.585+(0.004-0.585)/\[1+(TWC/ 73)¹⁰\], R²=0.99. ANOVA result further showed that the interactive effect of irradiance and desiccation on photosynthetic activity was significant, and that the photoinhibition degree increased with elevation of irradiation and duration of desiccation. The extreme condition (6 h desiccation at 1000 μmol photons·m^-2·s^-1) resulted in a serious photoinhibition, with the longest period of complete recovery for photosynthesis activity.

Seasonal variation of functional diversity of aquatic microbial community in Apostichopus japonicus cultural pond.

YAN Fa-jun1，2, TIAN Xiang-li1, DONG Shuang-lin1, YANG Gang1

2014, 25(5):  1499-1505. 

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The functional diversity of aquatic microbial communities in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) cultural ponds was examined in this paper. The Biolog plate technique and redundancy analysis (RDA) method were used to evaluate seasonal changes and their relationships with environmental factors. The results showed that both total amount and types of carbon sources utilized by microbes in the sea cucumber cultural ponds varied seasonally, and were the highest in summer and lowest in winter, with polymers being the main type of carbon sources. Principal component analysis revealed that the carbon utilization diversity of the microbial communities varied significantly over the seasonal courses. A total of 10 categories of carbon sources were significantly related to the principal component 1, among which were polymers, carbohydrates, carboxylic acids, amino acids, and amines. Significant seasonal changes were detected for all carbon utilization diversity indices of the microbial communities, including Shannon, McIntosh, Simpson, and SE. However, seasonal variations were different among the microbial diversity indices. RDA analysis revealed that TP, NO₃^--N, TN, and PO₄^3--P were the critical environmental factors influencing the seasonal changes in functional diversity of aquatic microbial community in sea cucumber cultural ponds.

Estimation of biological parameters and yield per recruitment for Coilia nasustaihuensis in Dianshan Lake, Shanghai, China.

GAO Chun-xia1,2, TIAN Si-quan1,2,3, DAI Xiao-jie1,2,3

2014, 25(5):  1506-1512. 

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Coilia nasustaihuensis is the most abundant species in Dianshan Lake and plays an important role in the lake ecosystem. From July 2010 to August 2011, a total of 3107 samples of C. nasustaihuensis were collected from Dianshan Lake. Based on length data of these samples, ELEFAN I technique was employed to estimate growth and mortality parameters, and the Beverton-Holt dynamic model was used to evaluate the population dynamics trend for C. nasustaihuensis. Growth of this species was described using a von Bertalanffy model, and the estimated parameters were L_∞=35.70 cm, k=0.54, and t₀=-0.48 a. The turning point for body mass growth curve of the stock was situated at t=1.37 a. Natural mortality coefficient M was then estimated using Pauly’s empirical equation and found to be 0.872. Lengthconverted catch curves were used to estimate the total mortality coefficient Z, which was found to be 2.121. Accordingly, the fishing mortality coefficient (F) was equal to 1.249, and the current exploitation rate was 0.589, suggesting the stock was overexploited. According to the BevertonHolt dynamic model, the minimum capture size for C. nasustaihuensis should be 21.42 cm (age 1.22 years).

Effects of different host plants on the coldresistant substances in overwintering larvae of Carposina sasakii Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae).

WANG Peng1,2,3, YU Yi1, XU Yong-yu2, LI Li-li1, ZHANG An-sheng1, MEN Xing-yuan1, ZHANG Si-cong1, ZHOU Xian-hong1

2014, 25(5):  1513-1517. 

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To evaluate the influence of different host plants including apple, wild jujube, jujube, pear and hawthorn on the coldtolerance substances in overwintering larvae of the peach fruit moth Carposina sasakii Matsumura, we measured the larvae supercooling capacity, the water content (W), total fat content (TFC), total protein content (TPC) and total glycogen content (TGC) in the body. Results showed that the mean  supercooling point (SCPs) and  freezing point (FPs) of overwintering larvae from the 5 host plant fruits differed significantly, ranging from -15.53 to -8.50 ℃ and -11.31 to -4.04 ℃, respectively. The overwintering larvae fed on hawthorn owned the highest SCP, FP, TGC and the lowest W, while those fed on apple had the lowest SCP, FP, TFC and TGC but the highest W and TPC. The fresh mass (FM) of the overwintering larvae fed on pear was the highest, while those fed on jujube was very low. Those fed on jujube accumulated the highest TFC but the lowest TPC.

Accuracy of predicting in vitro ruminal methane production in goats using  volatile fatty acids stoichiometric models.

WANG Rong1,2, YANG Ling-yuan1, WANG Min2, DENG Jin-ping1, YAN Zhi-cheng2,3, TANG Shao-xun2, ZHOU Chuan-she2, TAN Zhi-liang2

2014, 25(5):  1518-1524. 

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This study was conducted to investigate the accuracy of predicting in vitro ruminal methane (CH₄) production using  volatile fatty acids (VFA) stoichiometric models \[CH₄=0.5Ace-0.25Pro+0.5But-0.25Val\] (model 1), where CH₄, Ace, Pro, But and Val are the production amounts of CH₄, acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate, respectively. Ten common feedstuffs, including four concentrates and six roughages with a wide range of  chemical composition were incubated in serum bottles, and VFAs and CH₄ production at 72 h were determined. The differences between the predicted and measured CH₄ production were quantified using the model accuracy analysis. The results showed that the predicted CH₄ production amounts were generally greater than the measured values obtained using the model 1, and the bias, slope and random error were 62.6%, 11.7% and 25.7%, respectively, indicating that fixed error exceeded 70%. By assuming 80% of total hydrogen being used for CH₄ synthesis, the VFA stoichiometric model could be reexpressed as \[CH₄=0.8(0.5Ace-0.25Pro+0.5But-0.25Val)\] (model 2). The root mean square prediction error (rMSPE=0.18) for model 2 was less than for model 1 (rMSPE =0.60). In addition, the bias, slope and random error of the model 2 were 2.1%, 5.7%, 92.3%, respectively, indicating that fixed error was less than 10%. In model 1, hydrogen formation resulting from VFA production were assumed to be totally consumed by methanogens for CH₄ synthesis, without considering other pathways of hydrogen metabolism, which was the main factor resulting in the higher predicted values than the measured values.

 

Effects of plant viruses on vector and non-vector herbivorous arthropods and their natural enemies: A mini review.

HE Xiao-chan1,2, XU Hong-xing2, ZHOU Xiao-jun1, ZHENG Xu-song2, SUN Yu-jian1, YANG Ya-jun2, TIAN Jun-ce2, LU Zhong-xian2

2014, 25(5):  1525-1532. 

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Plant viruses transmitted by arthropods, as an important biotic factor, may not only directly affect the yield and quality of host plants, and development, physiological characteristics and ecological performances of their vector arthropods, but also directly or indirectly affect the non-vector herbivorous arthropods and their natural enemies in the same ecosystem, thereby causing influences to the whole agro-ecosystem. This paper reviewed the progress on the effects of plant viruses on herbivorous arthropods, including vector and non-vector, and their natural enemies, and on their ecological mechanisms to provide a reference for optimizing the management of vector and non-vector arthropod populations and sustainable control of plant viruses in agro-ecosystem.

 

Effects of iron on the algae growth and microcystin synthesis: A review.

KONG Yun1, ZOU Pei2, SONG Li-ming1, WANG Zi1, QI Jiao-qin1, ZHU Liang3, XU Xiang-yang3

2014, 25(5):  1533-1540. 

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Iron, as one of the essential mineral elements for algae growth, plays an extremely important role in the physiological processes such as plant photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen fixation, protein and nucleic acid synthesis. In view of the fact that iron in different forms could be absorbed and utilized by algae, the existing forms and circulation approaches in the aquatic environment, the absorption mechanism by algae, and the effects on algae growth and microcystin synthesis were reviewed in this paper. The relevant microcystin synthesis genes and their expression under iron restricted conditions were summarized, and the research directions for harmful algal blooms regulation and control by ferritin genes were suggested. It was hoped to provide the reference for eutrophication remediation technology.

Applications of stable isotope analysis in the trophic ecology studies of cephalopods.

LI Yun-kai1,2,3, GONG Yi1, CHEN Xin-jun1,2,3

2014, 25(5):  1541-1546. 

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Cephalopods play an important role in marine food webs, however, knowledge about their complex life history, especially their feeding ecology, remains limited. With the rapidly increasing use of stable isotope analysis (SIA) in ecology, it becomes a powerful tool and complement of traditional methods for investigating the trophic ecology and migration patterns of invertebrates. Here, after summarizing the current methods for trophic ecology investigation of cephalopods, applications of SIA in studying the trophic ecology of cephalopods were reviewed, including the key issues such as standardization of available tissues for SIA analyzing,  diet shift and migration patterns of cephalopods, with the aim of advancing its application in the biology of cephalopods in the future.