Abundance of Calanus sinicus across the tidal front in the Yellow Sea, China

The abundance of Calanus sinicus eggs, nauplii, copepodites and adults and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentration were studied across tidal fronts in October 2000, and May and June 2001 in the Yellow Sea, China. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of tidal fronts in the ecology of C. sinicus. The hydrographic tidal fronts were identified by the horizontal temperature gradient in the bottom layer and the temperature profiles across the fronts. The survey results showed that the concentration of Chl-a was high in the vicinity of the fronts, particularly in spring and early summer. The abundance of C. sinicus eggs and nauplii was usually higher in the tidal fronts than in the adjacent areas. In May and June 2001, the abundance of copepodites and adults of C. sinicus peaked in the tidal front. In June 2001 and October 2000, many copepodites and adults were found in stratified region.

Numerical study on the velocity structure around tidal fronts in the Yellow Sea

The velocity components across tidal fronts are examined using the Blumberg and Mellor 3-D nonlinear numerical coastal circulation model incorporated with the Mellor and Yamada level 2.5 turbulent closure model based on the reasonable model output of the M-2 tide and density residual currents. In the numerical experiments, upwelling motion appears around all the fronts with different velocity structures, accounting for surface cold water around the fronts. The experiments also suggest that the location and formation of fronts are closely related to topography and tidal mixing, as is the velocity structure around the front.

Ecological environment changes in Daya Bay, China, from 1982 to 2004

Data collected from 12 marine monitoring stations in Daya Bay from 1982 to 2004 reveal a substantial change in the ecological environment of this region. The average N/P ratio increased from 1.377 in 1985 to 49.09 in 2004. Algal species changed from 159 species of 46 genera in 1982 to 126 species of 44 genera in 2004. Major zooplankton species went from 46 species in 1983 to 36 species in 2004. The annual mean biomass of benthic animals was recorded at 123.10 gm(2) in 1982 and 126.68 g m(2) in 2004. Mean biomass and species of benthic animals near nuclear power plants ranged froth 317.9 g m(2) in 1991 to 45.24 g m(2) in 2004 and from 250 species in 1991 to 177 species in 2004. A total of 12-19 species of hermatypic corals and 13 species of mangrove plants were observed in Daya Bay from 1984 to 2002. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Genetic Modified Soybean (Roundup Ready) by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Using the LAMP method, a highly specific and sensitive detection system for genetically modified soybean (Roundup Ready) was designed. In this detection system, a set of four primers was designed by targeting the exogenous 35S epsps gene. Target DNA was amplified and visualized on agarose gel within 45 min under isothermal conditions at 65 degrees C. Without gel electrophoresis, the LAMP amplicon was visualized directly in the reaction tube by the addition of SYBR Green I for naked-eye inspection. The detection sensitivity of LAMP was 10-fold higher than the nested PCR established in our laboratory. Moreover, the LAMP method was much quicker, taking only 70 min, as compared with 300 min for nested PCR to complete the analysis of the GM soybean. Compared with traditional PCR approaches, the LAMP procedure is faster and more sensitive, and there is no need for a special PCR machine or electrophoresis equipment. Hence, this method can be a very useful tool for GMO detection and is particularly convenient for fast screening.

Detection of transgenic DNA in tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus, GIFT strain) fed genetically modified soybeans (Roundup Ready)

We used nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Roundup Ready soybean in aquatic feeds and feeding tilapias. A template concentration of 10(-10) g mu L-1 DNA solution could be detected with a dilute degree of 0.01%. Most (90.6%) of the aquatic feeds containing soybean byproduct included exogenous DNA segments. We also compared genetically modified (GM) soybean with non-GM soybean diets in feeding tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus, GIFT strain) and examined the residual fragments (254 bp) of GM soybeans. Tilapias receiving GM soybean diets had DNA fragments in different tissues and organs, indicating that exogenous GM genes were absorbed systemically and not completely degraded by the tilapia's alimentary canal.

采用垂穗披碱草恢复青藏铁路取土场植被的试验研究

为恢复青藏铁路取土场植被,试验研究垂穗披碱草在青藏铁路取土场植被恢复中的应用。试验结果表明,垂穗披碱草具有较好的抗寒冷、抗干旱及耐盐碱等特性,在取土场的自然出苗率可达60%,越冬成活率和第2年植物群落盖度均达50%以上,群落地上生物量和地下生物量也分别达到（195.74±41.78）g•m~(-2),（438.56±160.33）g•m~(-2)。在种子萌发和植物越冬、植物个体生长发育以及人工植物群落特征等方面,垂穗披碱草在青藏铁路取土场表现出较好的适应性。采用高原乡土植物垂穗披碱草以及相应的植被恢复技术措施,实现青藏铁路取土场次生裸地植被的快速恢复是可行而有效的。

梭罗草在青藏铁路取土场植被恢复中的应用研究

根据青藏铁路工程建设中的生态环境保护以及植被恢复建设的迫切需要, 在青藏铁路沱沱河试验段高寒草原区取土场开展植被恢复的试验工作, 主要研究和分析了梭罗草(Kengyilia thoroldiana (Oliv.)J.L.Yang,Yen et Baum)在青藏铁路取土场植被恢复中的应用, 为青藏铁路工程建设中的取土场植被恢复提供科学依据.结果表明: 青藏铁路建设过程中形成的取土场属次生裸地, 其有机质含量为3.31 g•kg-1, pH为8.84.梭罗草为高原干旱地区乡土多年生草本植物, 具有耐寒旱、抗风沙以及耐盐碱等特性.在取土场植物的出苗率接近50%, 越冬率可达75%以上. 恢复第2年植物群落盖度为41%, 群落地上生物量和地下生物量分别达到(128.16±41.85) g•m-2和(266.50±95.69 )g•m-2.可见, 无论是种子萌发和植物越冬, 还是植物个体生长发育以及人工植物群落特征, 梭罗草表现出对青藏铁路沿线高寒干旱地区气候和土壤环境具有较好的适应性.只要采用高原乡土植物种类和采取相应的植被恢复技术措施, 青藏铁路多年冻土区取土场次生裸地的植被快速恢复是可行的.

不同土壤水分含量下高寒草地CH4释放的比较研究

2003年6月30日～9月4日,利用密闭箱-气相色谱法,对发育于不同水分状况下的灌丛草甸(GC)、矮嵩草草甸(AC)、藏嵩草草甸(ZC)和季节性湿地(SD)的CH4释放速率进行了比较研究.结果表明,观测期间,季节性湿地处于淹水状态,其它三种土壤平均水分含量分别为39.6%(GC)、38.4%(AC)、65.9%(ZC),而CH4平均释放速率分别为-0.031±0.030(GC)、-0.026±0.018(AC)、1.103±0.240(ZC)和6.922±4.598 mg•m-2•h-1(SD),随着土壤水分含量的增加,高寒草地土壤CH4释放由吸收转为排放,表现出与土壤湿度很好的一致性.矮嵩草草甸不同处理CH4吸收强度AC＜AJ＜AL,它们之间的差异除与土壤水分有关,还可能与处理引起的CH4传输途径不同有关.实验期间,矮嵩草草甸和灌丛草甸土壤-植物系统分别吸收CH438.69和46.13 mg•m-2,是大气温室气体CH4的弱汇,藏嵩草草甸和季节性湿地则是大气温室气体CH4的源,分别排放CH4 1.641和10.30 g•m-2.

放牧强度对高寒灌丛草甸土壤CO_2释放速率的影响

在中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统定位站，研究放牧强度对土壤CO２释放速率的影响及其与环境条件的关系。结果表明，CO２释放速率具有明显的日变化规律，日最大值在12∶00～14∶00h出现，最低值出现于凌晨6∶00～8∶00h。轻牧和重牧区日释放速率分别为7.774±5.577 g·m－２·d －１和6.977±4.947 g·m－２·d －１。CO２释放速率具有明显的季节变化，最大值均出现在7月，而冬季则最低。CO２释放速率的日变化主要受气温和地表温度的制约，与气温和地表温度呈极显著的正相关(P＜0.01)。CO２释放速率的季节动态与气温和地温(0～30cm)呈极显著的正相关(P＜0.01)。放牧使CO２释放速率降低。

青海海北地区高山嵩草草甸植物群落的结构特征及其分布格局

对高山草甸主要植物群落结构特征及其分布格局的研究结果表明, 矮嵩草草甸植物群落的丰富度最大, 隶属18科, 43属45种, 呈多优势种植物群落; 小嵩草草甸居中, 隶属11科, 30属35种, 小嵩草(K obresia py gm aea) 为优势种; 藏嵩草沼泽化草甸最小, 隶属9科, 21属23种, 藏嵩草(K. tibetica) 为优势种。其中, 有9个种群为3个群落中的共有种, 分别占矮嵩草草甸、小嵩草草甸和藏嵩草沼泽化草甸总种数的20100%、25171% 和39113%。它们在水分资源位上的生态位宽度较大。3个植物群落类型的种2面积关系呈对数曲线分布, 群落的最小样方面积为0125m 2或015m 2较适宜。种2多度分布呈对数正态分布, 其分布模型的表达式如下: S (R ) = S 0e- (a2R 2)

青海海北地区高山嵩草草甸植物群落生物量动态及能量分配

对青海海北地区高山草甸主要植物群落小嵩草(K obresia pygmaea) 草甸、矮嵩草(K. humilis) 草甸、藏嵩草(K. tibetica) 沼泽化草甸地上生物量动态和能量分配的研究结果表明, 不同植物群落年地上净生产量及其年际动态和主要植物类群生物量季节动态具明显的差异, 其生物量季节动态可由如下模型表示: W i = Ki/(1 + exp (A i - B it) ) 　　植物群落地上、地下生物量的垂直分布呈典型的金字塔和倒金字塔模式。小嵩草草甸、矮嵩草草甸和藏嵩草沼泽化草甸的地上净生产量依次为368.4g·m – 2·a- 1、418.5 g·m – 2·a- 1和518.4 g·m – 2·a- 1, 所固定的太阳能值依次为6655.16kJ·m – 2·a- 1、7610.09 kJ·m – 2·a- 1、9488.77 kJ·m – 2·a- 1。光能利用率分别为0.1097%、0.1256%、0.1568%。

Responses of Artemisia frigida Willd. (Compositae) and Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel. (Poaceae) to sheep saliva

Although studies show that grazing and browsing by herbivores have marked effects on host plants, the mechanisms remain unclear. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of sheep saliva on host plant growth. Sheep saliva was manually applied to clipped plants of two different life forms, a semi-shrub, Artemisia frigida Willd., and a herbaceous species, Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzevel. The results showed that sheep saliva significantly enhanced aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and the ratio of ANPP to belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) for both species. This indicated that sheep saliva promotes aboveground compensatory growth and allocation of photosynthate to aboveground for both plant species. Sheep saliva stimulated only tillering of L. chinensis. Regardless of saliva application, clipping significantly decreased BNPP and plant height, but significantly increased the number of branches or tillers for both plant species. The relative growth rates (RGRs) on both species were significantly greater after clipping with saliva compared with control and clipping without saliva treatments. In addition, RGR of the herbaceous species L. chinensis was faster than that of the semi-shrub A. frigida after application of saliva. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Morphological and reproductive response of Caragana microphylla to different stocking rates

Understanding the effect on host plants of defending against herbivores is important in grazing ecology and grassland management. In this study, the morphological and reproductive responses of Caragana microphylla Lam. to grazing sheep were investigated using a 15-year grazing experiment with six stocking rates in the Inner Mongolia steppe of China. Plant height, rachis length, leaflet size, and number of pods decreased significantly, whereas spine density and length increased significantly with increased stocking rate. Significant negative correlations were observed between production of vegetative and reproductive organs and defensive organs, indicating that it is costly for C. microphylla to defend against herbivores and that morphological miniaturization and a tradeoff between production and defense were main responses of C. microphylla to herbivores. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of land management on carbon and nitrogen status in plants and soils of alpine meadows on the Tibetan plateau

Large-scale grassland rehabilitation has been carried out on the severely degraded lands of the Tibetan plateau. The grasslands created provide a useful model for evaluating the recovery of ecosystem properties. The purposes of this research were: (1) to examine the relative influence of various rehabilitation practices on carbon and nitrogen in plants and soils in early secondary succession; and (2) to evaluate the degree to which severely degraded grassland altered plant and soil properties relative to the non-disturbed native community. The results showed: (1) The aboveground tissue C and N content in the control were 105-97 g m(-2) and 3.356gm(-2), respectively. The aboveground tissue C content in the mixed seed treatment, the single seed treatment, the natural recovery treatment and the severely degraded treatment was 137 per cent, 98 per cent, 49 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively, of that in the control. The corresponding aboveground tissue N content was 109 per cent, 84 per cent, 60 per cent and 47 per cent, respectively, of that in the control. (2) Root C and N content in 0-20 cm depths of the control had an 2 2 average 1606 gm(-2) and 30-36 gm(-2) respectively. Root C and N content in the rehabilitation treatments were in the range of 26-36 per cent and 35-53 per cent, while those in the severely degraded treatment were only 17 per cent and 26 per cent of that in the control. (3) In the control the average soil C and N content at 0-20 cm was 11307 gm(-2) and 846 gm(-2), respectively. Soil C content in the uppermost 20 cm in the seeded treatments, the natural recovery treatment and the severely degraded treatment was 67 per cent, 73 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively, while soil N content in the uppermost 20cm was 72 per cent, 82 per cent and 79 per cent, respectively, of that in the control. The severely degraded land was a major C source. Restoring the severely degraded lands to perennial vegetation was an alternative approach to sequestering C in former degraded systems. N was a limiting factor in seeding grassland. It is necessary for sustainable utilization of seeding grassland to supply extra N fertilizer to the soil or to add legume species into the seed mix. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Characterizing CO2 fluxes for growing and non-growing seasons in a shrub ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

To assess carbon budget for shrub ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, CO2 flux was measured with an open-path eddy covariance system for an alpine shrub ecosystem during growing and non-growing seasons. CO2 flux dynamics was distinct between the two seasons. During the growing season from May to September, the ecosystem exhibited net CO2 uptake from 08:00 to 19:00 (Beijing Standard Time), but net CO2 emission from 19:00 to 08:00. Maximum CO2 uptake appeared around 12:00 with values of 0.71, 1,19, 1.46 and 0.67 g CO2 m(-2) h(-1) for June, July, August and September, respectively. Diurnal fluctuation Of CO2 flux showed higher correlation with photosynthetic photon flux density than temperature. The maximum net CO2 influx occurred in August with a value of 247 g CO2 m(-2). The total CO2 uptake by the ecosystem was up to 583 g CO2 m(-2) for the growing season. During the non-growing season from January to April and from October to December, CO2 flux showed small fluctuation with the largest net CO2 efflux of 0.30 g CO2 m(-2) h(-1) in April. The diurnal CO2 flux was close to zero during most time of the day, but showed a small net CO2 eff lux from 11:00 to 18:00. Diurnal CO2 flux, is significantly correlated to diurnal temperature in the non-growing season. The maximum monthly net CO2 eff lux appeared in April, with a value of 105 g CO2 m(-2). The total net CO2 eff lux for the whole non-growing season was 356 g CO2 m(-2).