The environment effect on fish assemblage structure in waters adjacent to the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary (1998-2001)

We collected fish abundance data in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and adjacent waters in November 1998, May 1999, November 2000, and May 2001. Using the data, we evaluated the characteristics of the fish assemblages at each site and investigated the effect of several environmental factors. We used a multivariate analysis, including community ordination methods such as detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). We analyzed the biological community structure and environmental factors to determine their spatial distributions, temporal dynamics, and seasonal variations. Among the fish species, five exceeded 5% of the total abundance: Harpodon nehereus (42.82%), Benthosema pterotum (13.85%), Setipinna taty (11.64%), Thryssa kammalensis (9.17%) and Apogonichthys lineatus (6.49%). These were separated into four ecological assemblages: hypsithermal-saline, hypsithermal-brackish, hypothermal-brackish, and hypothermal-saline. We evaluated the degree of influence of environmental factors on the fish community. Our analyses suggested that environmental factors including water depth, salinity, turbidity, transparency, nutrient, and suspended matter formed a synthetic spatial gradient between the coastal and pelagic areas. Ecological and environmental factors changed temporally from 1998 to 2001, and drove the fish community succession. The environmental factors driving the fish community structure included bottom temperature, water depth, bottom and surface pH, surface total phosphorous, and bottom dissolved oxygen. This investigation was completed before completion of the Three Gorges Dam; therefore the results of this study provide an important foundation for evaluating the influence of the human activities.

Holosticha hamulata n. sp and Holosticha heterofoissneri Hu and Song, 2001, two urostylid ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) from intertidal sediments of the Yellow Sea

Two marine urostylid ciliates, Holosticha hamulata n. sp. and Holosticha heterofoissneri Hu and Song, 2001, were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation. Both species were isolated from Korean intertidal sediments of the Yellow Sea. Holosticha hamulata measures about 150 x 25 pro in vivo, and is characterized by a tripartite body shape with a narrow head, an inflated trunk, and a tail that distally projects ventrally forming a hook-like structure. It is the characteristic body shape that distinguishes H. hamulata distinctly from congeners. Holosticha hamulata differs from H. heterofoissneri, possibly the nearest relative, also by the location of the contractile vacuole (ahead of mid-body versus near posterior body third) and the configuration of the macronucleus (on average, 33 scattered nodules assuming a Y-shape versus 17 nodules that may form a U shape). The average number of the macronuclear nodules is a pronounced feature showing great consistency in populations of each species. However, their arrangement is variable in H. heterofoissneri where the nodules are basically scattered or connected by fine fibers forming an elongate U-shape. The location of the contractile vacuole as a taxonomic feature is discussed and a dichotomous key to the species of Holosticha sensu stricto is provided.

青藏公路与铁路沿途1981年～2001年植被覆盖变化

在青藏公路与铁路沿途区域,利用1981年至2001年的8km分辨率PathfinderNOAA/NDVI数据,基于每个象元变化的年植被峰值计算进行了像元水平的线性趋势分析,并运用地理信息系统(GIS)软件研究了区域植被覆盖的空间分布和动态变化特征.主要结论:①在研究区内,反映植被覆盖的NDVI值在空间上呈现出两端高中间低的态势,依次是农作区和森林区＞高寒草甸＞高寒草原＞荒漠草原;②20年间,研究区植被覆盖程度变化总体趋于稳定,覆盖程度呈减少趋势的区域明显高于增加的区域,植被覆盖程度增减因区域而异;植被覆盖程度增加和显著减少地区主要分布在农作区和高寒草甸区,轻微减少地区主要分布在高寒草原和荒漠草原区;③植被覆盖变化程度在拉萨河谷地、湟水谷地和黄河流域等人类活动比较频繁的区域增减趋势比较明显;而在可可西里地区等人类活动比较少的区域变化轻微.