Demographic assessment of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in Chesapeake Bay using extractable lipofuscins as age markers

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) plays an important economic and ecological role in estuaries and coastal habitats from the Gulf of Mexico to the east coast of North America, but demographic assessments are limited by length-based methods. We applied an alternative aging method using biochemical measures of metabolic byproducts (lipofuscins) sequestered in the neural tissue of eyestalks to examine population age structure. From Chesapeake Bay, subsamples of animals collected from the 1998–99 (n=769) and 1999–2000 (n=367) winter dredge surveys were collected and lipofuscin was measured. Modal analysis of the lipofuscin index provided separation into three modes, whereas carapace-width data collected among the same individuals showed two broad modes. Lipofuscin modal analysis indicated that most adults (carapace width >120 mm) were <2 years old. The results indicate that use of extractable lipofuscin can provide a more accurate and better resolved estimation of demographic structure of blue crab populations in the field than size alone.

Growth, recruitment, and abundance of juvenile striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) in South Carolina estuaries

Growth, recruitment, and abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) striped mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) in estuarine habitats in South Carolina from 1998 to 2000 were examined and compared to historical data (1986–91) of growth, recruitment, and abundance. Daily growth increments from the sagittal otoliths of juvenile striped mullet were validated by using fish immersed in oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) for five hours from the Charleston Harbor Estuary system. The distribution of back-calculated birthdates indicated that striped mullet spawn from October to late April and estuarine recruitment occurs from January through May. Juveniles were more abundant in mesohaline and polyhaline salinity regimes but were found throughout the estuary. Juvenile growth after recruitment into the estuary can be described by the relationship Total length (mm) = 0.341 (Age)1.04 (r2=0.741, P=0.001). Growth of juveniles according to the analysis of size-frequency data from historical surveys (1986 to 1991) in the same estuaries gave the relationship Total length (mm) = 8.77 (month)1.12 (r2=0.950, P=0.001). The similarity in the growth curves for both groups of fish suggests that juvenile striped mullet in South Carolina have consistent annual growth during the first year of life.

The relative value of different estuarine nursery areas in North Carolina for transient juvenile marine fishes

Offshore winter-spawned fishes dominate the nekton of south-eastern United States estuaries. Their juveniles reside for several months in shallow, soft bottom estuarine creeks and bays called primary nursery areas. Despite similarity in many nursery characteristics, there is, between and within species, variability in the occupation of these habitats. Whether all occupied habitats are equally valuable to individuals of the same species or whether most recruiting juveniles end up in the best habitats is not known. If nursery quality varies, then factors controlling variation in pre-settlement fish distribution are important to year-class success. If nursery areas have similar values, interannual variation in distribution across nursery creeks should have less effect on population sizes or production. I used early nursery period age-specific growth and mortality rates of spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)—two dominant estuarine fishes—to assess relative habitat quality across a wide variety of nursery conditions, assuming that fish growth and mortality rates were direct reflections of overall physical and biological conditions in the nurseries. I tested the hypothesis that habitat quality varies for these fishes by comparing growth and mortality rates and distribution patterns across a wide range of typical nursery habitats at extreme ends of two systems. Juvenile spot and Atlantic croaker were collected from 10 creeks in the Cape Fear River estuary and from 18 creeks in the Pamlico Sound system, North Carolina, during the 1987 recruitment season (mid-March–mid-June). Sampled creeks were similar in size, depth, and substrates but varied in salinities, tidal regimes, and distances from inlets. Spot was widely distributed among all the estuarine creeks, but was least abundant in the creeks in middle reaches of both systems. Atlantic croaker occurred in the greatest abundance in oligohaline creeks of both systems. Instantaneous growth rates derived from daily otolith ages were generally similar for all creeks and for both species, except that spot exhibited a short-term growth depression in the upriver Pamlico system creeks—perhaps the result of the long migration distance of this species to this area. Spot and Atlantic croaker from upriver oligohaline creeks exhibited lower mortality rates than fish from downstream polyhaline creeks. These results indicated that even though growth was similar at the ends of the estuaries, the upstream habitats provided conditions that may optimize fitness through improved survival.

Larval abundance, distribution, and spawning habits of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park, Florida

The spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) is one of the most sought after recreational fish in Florida Bay, and it spends its entire life history within the bay (Rutherford et al.,1989b). The biology of adult spotted seatrout in Florida Bay is well known (Rutherford et al., 1982, 1989b) as is the distribution and abundance of juveniles within the bay. The habitats and diets of juveniles are well documented (Hettler, 1989; Chester and Thayer, 1990; Thayer et al., 1999; Florida Department of Environmental Protection1). Nevertheless, the spatial and temporal spawning habits of spotted seatrout and the distribution of larvae have only been partially described (Powell et al., 1989; Rutherford et al., 1989a).

Effect of analytical conditions in wavelength dispersive electron microprobe analysis on the measurement of strontium-to-calcium (Sr/Ca) ratios in otoliths of anadromous salmonids

The use of strontium-to-calcium (Sr/Ca) ratios in otoliths is becoming a standard method to describe life history type and the chronology of migrations between freshwater and seawater habitats in teleosts (e.g. Kalish, 1990; Radtke et al., 1990; Secor, 1992; Rieman et al., 1994; Radtke, 1995; Limburg, 1995; Tzeng et al. 1997; Volk et al., 2000; Zimmerman, 2000; Zimmerman and Reeves, 2000, 2002). This method provides critical information concerning the relationship and ecology of species exhibiting phenotypic variation in migratory behavior (Kalish, 1990; Secor, 1999). Methods and procedures, however, vary among laboratories because a standard method or protocol for measurement of Sr in otoliths does not exist. In this note, we examine the variations in analytical conditions in an effort to increase precision of Sr/Ca measurements. From these findings we argue that precision can be maximized with higher beam current (although there is specimen damage) than previously recommended by Gunn et al. (1992).

Estimates of survival probabilities for oceanic-stage loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the North Atlantic

Estimates of instantaneous mortality rates (Z) and annual apparent survival probabilities (Φ) were generated from catch-curve analyses for oceanic-stage juvenile loggerheads (Caretta caretta) in the waters of the Azores. Two age distributions were analyzed: the “total sample” of 1600 loggerheads primarily captured by sighting and dipnetting from a variety of vessels in the Azores between 1984 and 1995 and the “tuna sample” of 733 loggerheads (a subset of the total sample) captured by sighting and dipnetting from vessels in the commercial tuna fleet in the Azores between 1990 and 1992. Because loggerhead sea turtles begin to emigrate from oceanic to neritic habitats at age 7, the best estimates of instantaneous mortality rate (0.094) and annual survival probability (0.911) not confounded with permanent emigration were generated for age classes 2 through 6. These estimates must be interpreted with caution because of the assumptions upon which catch-curve analyses are based. However, these are the first directly derived estimates of mortality and survival probabilities for oceanic-stage sea turtles. Estimation of survival probabilities was identified as “an immediate and critical requirement” in 2000 by the Turtle Expert Working Group of the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service.

Age, growth, and mortality of the Mayan cichlid (Cichlasoma urophthalmus) from the southeastern Everglades

Mayan cichlids (Cichlasoma urophthalmus) were collected monthly from March 1996 to October 1997 with hook-and-line gear at Taylor River, Florida, an area within the Crocodile Sanctuary of Everglades National Park, where human activities such as fishing are prohibited. Fish were aged by examining thin-sectioned otoliths, and past size-at-age information was generated by using back-calculation techniques. Marginal increment analysis showed that opaque growth zones were annuli deposited between January and May. The size of age-1 fish was estimated to be 33–66 mm standard length (mean=45.5 mm) and was supported by monthly length-frequency data of young-of-year fish collected with drop traps over a seven-year period. Mayan cichlids up to seven years old were observed. Male cichlids grew slower but achieved a larger size than females. Growth was asymptotic and was modeled by the von Bertalanffy growth equation Lt=263.6(1–exp[–0.166(t–0.001)]) for males (r2=0.82, n=581) and Lt=215.6 (1–exp[–0.197(t–0.058)]) for females (r2= 0.77, n=639). Separate estimates of total annual mortality were relatively consistent (0.44–0.60) and indicated moderate mortality at higher age classes, even in the absence of fishing mortality. Our data indicated that Mayan cichlids grow slower and live longer in Florida than previously reported from native Mexican habitats. Because the growth of Mayan cichlids in Florida periodically slowed and thus produced visible annuli, it may be possible to age introduced populations of other subtropical and tropical cichlids in a similar way.

Larval and settlement periods of the northern searobin (Prionotus carolinus) and the striped searobin (P. evolans)

This study reports new information about searobin (Prionotus spp.) early life history from samples collected with a Tucker trawl (for planktonic stages) and a beam trawl (for newly settled fish) from the coastal waters of New Jersey. Northern searobin, Prionotus carolinus, were much more numerous than striped searobin, P. evolans, often by an order of magnitude. Larval Prionotus were collected during the period July–October and their densities peaked during September. For both species, notochord flexion was complete at 6–7 mm standard length (SL) and individuals settled at 8–9 mm SL. Flexion occurred as early as 13 days after hatching and settlement occurred as late as 25 days after hatching, according to ages estimated from sagittal microincrements. Both species settled directly in continental shelf habitats without evidence of delayed metamorphosis. Spawning, larval dispersal, or settlement may have occurred within certain estuaries, particularly for P. evolans; thus collections from shelf areas alone do not permit estimates of total larval production or settlement rates. Reproductive seasonality of P. carolinus and P. evolans may vary with respect to latitude and coastal depth. In this study, hatching dates and sizes of age-0 P. carolinus varied with respect to depth or distance from the New Jersey shore. Older and larger age-0 individuals were found in deeper waters. These variations in searobin age and size appear to be the combined result of intraspecific variations in searobin reproductive seasonality and the limited capability of searobin eggs and larvae to disperse.

Changes over time in the spatial distribution of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the Gulf of Alaska, 1984-1996

Triennial bottom trawl survey data from 1984 to 1996 were used to evaluate changes in the summer distribution of walleye pollock in the western and central Gulf of Alaska. Differences between several age groups of pollock were evaluated. Distribution was examined in relation to several physical characteristics, including bottom depth and distance from land. Interspecies associations were also analyzed with the Bray-Curtis clustering technique to better understand community structure. Our results indicated that although the population numbers decreased, high concentrations of pollock remained in the same areas during 1984–96. However, there was an increase in the number of stations where low-density pollock concentrations of all ages were observed, which resulted in a decrease in mean population density of pollock within the GOA region. Patterns emerging from our data suggested an alternative to Mac-Call’s “basin hypothesis” which states that as population numbers decrease, there should be a contraction of the population range to optimal habitats. During 1984–96 there was a concurrent precipitous decline in Steller sea lions in the Gulf of Alaska. The results of our study suggest that decreases in the mean density of adult pollock, the main food in the Steller sea lion diet, combined with slight changes in the distribution of pollock (age-1 pollock in particular) in the mid-1980s, may have contributed to decreased foraging efficiency in Steller sea lions. Our results support the prevailing conceptual model for pollock ontogeny, although there is evidence that substantial spawning may also occur outside of Shelikof Strait.

Origin of immature loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at Hutchinson Island, Florida: evidence from mtDNA markers

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are migratory, long-lived, and slow maturing. They are difficult to study because they are seen rarely and their habitats range over vast stretches of the ocean. Movements of immature turtles between pelagic and coastal developmental habitats are particularly difficult to investigate because of inadequate tagging technologies and the difficulty in capturing significant numbers of turtles at sea. However, genetic markers found in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) provide a basis for predicting the origin of juvenile turtles in developmental habitats. Mixed stock analysis was used to determine which nesting populations were contributing individuals to a foraging aggregation of immature loggerhead turtles (mean 63.3 cm straight carapace length [SCL]) captured in coastal waters off Hutchinson Island, Florida. The results indicated that at least three different western Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle subpopulations contribute to this group: south Florida (69%), Mexico (20%), and northeast Florida-North Carolina (10%). The conservation and management of these immature sea turtles is complicated by their multinational genetic demographics.

Integration of submersible transect data and high-resolution multibeam sonar imagery for a habitat-based groundfish assessment of Heceta Bank, Oregon

In the face of dramatic declines in groundfish populations and a lack of sufficient stock assessment information, a need has arisen for new methods of assessing groundfish populations. We describe the integration of seafloor transect data gathered by a manned submersible with high-resolution sonar imagery to produce a habitat-based stock assessment system for groundfish. The data sets used in this study were collected from Heceta Bank, Oregon, and were derived from 42 submersible dives (1988–90) and a multibeam sonar survey (1998). The submersible habitat survey investigated seafloor topography and groundfish abundance along 30-minute transects over six predetermined stations and found a statistical relationship between habitat variability and groundfish distribution and abundance. These transects were analyzed in a geographic information system (GIS) by using dynamic segmentation to display changes in habitat along the transects. We used the submersible data to extrapolate fish abundance within uniform habitat patches over broad areas of the bank by means of a habitat classification based on the sonar imagery. After applying a navigation correction to the submersible-based habitat segments, a good correlation with major boundaries on the backscatter and topographic boundaries on the imagery were apparent. Extrapolation of the extent of uniform habitats was made in the vicinity of the dive stations and a preliminary stock assessment of several species of demersal fish was calculated. Such a habitat-based approach will allow researchers to characterize marine communities over large areas of the seafloor.

Innovations to strengthen aquatic resource governance on Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake

Cambodia’s recent freshwater fishery sector reform, instigated at the top level of government, is one of the country’s most significant contemporary policy developments addressing natural resources management and rural development. Implemented in two main waves, the reforms culminated in the complete removal of inland commercial fishing lots. Yet serious problems still need to be addressed, including reportedly widespread illegal fishing, difficulties in protecting critical habitats, and competition among state agencies over resource management authority. This report summarizes the context of the recent fishery reforms, analyzes challenges and opportunities for policy implementation after the reforms, and details the outcomes of local institutional innovations in Kampong Thom Province, followed by a discussion of the implications for ongoing efforts aimed at reducing resource conflict and building livelihood resilience.

浑善达克沙地植物功能型多样性

植物随所处环境条件的变化而产生一系列的形态、生理以及其它特性上的相应变化，形成相应的适应对策，表现出一定的功能策略。把在生态系统中扮演着相似角色并且对环境条件表现出相似的响应的一组具有相似特征（形态和生理特征）的植物称为植物功能型（Plant Functional types），这一概念把植物从个体水平和整个生态系统水平上把生理和生活史过程以及策略合理的联系在一起。有了植物功能型的帮助，我们能够将个体种和个体种群的纷繁 复杂过程总结简化为相对简洁的演化模式。近来的研究已经提出在生态系统过程中功能型多样性比物种多样性更重要。 本文以浑善达克沙地植被为研究对象，按照生命期（一年生与多年生），光合途径（C3光合途径与 C4光合途径），繁殖方式（克隆繁殖和非克隆繁殖）以及生长型（禾草与非禾草）来划分浑善达克沙地的植物功能型，调查监测浑善达克沙地植物功能型的分布及其生态特征对沙地环境的响应。 通过对浑善达克沙地五种不同生境的土壤因子和植物功能型分布及其群落特征的分析研究，结果表明在流动沙丘上一年生C4非克隆繁殖的植物功能型首先侵入，半固定沙丘开始有多年生C3植物功能型定居并逐渐成为优势种，当成为固定沙丘时，本研究中所有浑善达克沙地植物功能型都出现了，其植物功能型多样性最高。滩地中的土壤的有机质和养分含量最高，多年生C3植物占据绝对优势。靠近淖尔边缘，盐分含量和水分增加，多年生C3非禾草成为优势种。在浑善达克沙地，一年生C4非克隆非禾草在沙丘生境中全都存在。流动沙丘、半固定沙丘和固定沙丘之间的土壤条件没有显著差异，但植被特征存在差异。因此，只要排除人为影响和牲畜干扰，辅助以一定的人工措施（如飞播），浑善达克沙地退化草地将向着良性的恢复方向发展。 通过对浑善达克沙地退化草地围封后的植物功能型特征变化研究，在四年的植被恢复过程中，功能型多样性最高的群落可能不是最稳定和恢复时间较长的群落，在我们的研究中，功能型多样性在恢复的第一年和第四年较高，而在恢复的第二年和第三年功能型多样性显著低于第一年和第四年。但第二年和第三年的地上生物量却高于第一年和第四年，从生态系统功能的角度考虑，说明恢复过程中群落的稳定性是短暂过渡的类型，群落恢复过程将呈周期性的波动。在四年的恢复时间里，多年生C3光合途径克隆繁殖禾草无论从植株密度、盖度、物种数以及地上生物量都在群落中占有绝对优势，在退化沙地草地自然恢复早期起到关键作用。 基于连续四年在浑善达克沙地围封区内滩地植被记录，分析了（1）滩地植物群落的植物功能型特征，包括密度、物种数、盖度、地上生物量以及相对重要值;（2）各植物功能型特征对植物功能型多样性（Shannon-Wiener index）的贡献以及(3) 群落初级生产力与物种多样性和植物功能型多样性的关系。结果表明，植物功能型特征显著受生命期、光合途径、繁殖方式以及生长型影响。植物功能型多样性与群落物种数显著相关。逐步回归分析结果显示多年生C3 克隆禾草随着退化草地的恢复进程对植物功能型多样性的影响越来越重要。植物功能型多样性与群落初级生产力之间的关系随着恢复进程而呈现不同的线性关系。 为了调查浑善达克沙地主要植物功能型优势物种对沙地环境的适应，研究了多年生根茎克隆繁殖禾草赖草和多年生非克隆繁殖非禾草褐沙蒿对沙埋和风蚀的响应。结果表明，不同的植物功能型对于沙地风沙蚀积表现出不同的适应对策。在一定程度的沙埋和风蚀胁迫下，赖草通过分株间克隆整合来抵御风沙蚀积，通过对根茎生物量的投资，来逃离胁迫环境。而褐沙蒿通过加大对根生物量的投资来抵御风蚀，通过加大对地上部分的生物量投资来抵御沙埋。

不同环境紫茎泽兰幼苗动态和特征

紫茎泽兰（Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng.）入侵我国已有70余年的时间，目前已经对我国西南地区造成了严重危害，却缺少有效的防治方法加以控制。本研究着眼于紫茎泽兰治理效果，在两片大面积综合防治样地的基础上，针对综合防治后样地紫茎泽兰再生长情况展开调查研究，并在野外观测的基础上设计两项置于样地附近的盆栽实验，研究紫茎泽兰在不同环境条件下的存活情况，以及与不同物种混播的种间竞争情况。 对综合治理1年后的样地中4个紫茎泽兰种群调查、分析结果表明，在不同的生境，采取不同的方法治理紫茎泽兰会导致紫茎泽兰采取不同的生长和繁殖对策进行再生长。紫茎泽兰生长速度为：水分充足的环境大于水分不充足的环境，萌生植株大于实生植株。种植替代物种绞股蓝（Gynostmma pentaphyllum）能够抑制紫茎泽兰的高生长，但在绞股蓝的压迫下紫茎泽兰长成L型，反而增加了冠幅、分蘖数目和单位株高的分枝数。在繁殖方式方面：采用拔除方法治理的区域紫茎泽兰以克隆繁殖为主，而采用喷洒化学除草剂治理的区域则以有性繁殖为主。 固定样方调查显示，紫茎泽兰再生长的1年当中，群落随季节变化而变。群落的盖度、密度和物种丰富度均随着旱季的深入而达到最低，第二年雨季到来后上升，紫茎泽兰在群落中处于绝对优势，尤其是在旱季优势更为明显。一年生紫茎泽兰在旱季部分植株死亡（死亡率为53.38±1.55%），少部分（5.66±0.45%）开花，产生种子的密度约为50 000ind∙m-2。与本地优势灌木物种车桑子（Dodonaea viscosa）、台湾相思（Acacia confuse）和马桑（Coriaria nepalensis）相比，紫茎泽兰具有更快的生长速度，更大的高度、密度和盖度。 紫茎泽兰种子的萌发需要充足的水分和遮荫条件。在盆栽实验当中，浇水或遮荫条件下足量紫茎泽兰的种子能够萌发更多的幼苗，而且幼苗的死亡率也比无浇水或无遮荫的处理低。在遮荫或去除其它物种竞争的条件下，紫茎泽兰幼苗生长速度更快。只要水分充足紫茎泽兰幼苗不会因拥挤而死亡，但是个体平均生物量会因拥挤而减小。 紫茎泽兰幼苗与本地3种草本植物比较结果，在未遮荫条件下，紫茎泽兰幼苗数量极少，且个体也非常小，而相同条件下荩草（Arthraxon hispidus）和含羞草决明（Cassia mimosoides）生长良好;在遮荫条件下荩草、含羞草决明和戟叶酸模（Rumex haxtatus ）与紫茎泽兰相比则几乎没有优势。 成株紫茎泽兰生命力强，难以控制，幼苗时期是采用替代控制方法治理紫茎泽兰的最佳时期。在替代控制物种选择方面，可以在根除后播种本地灌木和草本植物，因为草本植物在早期可以抑制紫茎泽兰幼苗的萌发和生长，而同时播种的灌木种类则可以在植被恢复的后期起到控制紫茎泽兰再生长的重要作用。

薇甘菊对其入侵地植物种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感影响

薇甘菊主要入侵我国华南的广东、海南和云南三省，给当地造成了严重的危害，其强烈的化感作用被认为是其成功入侵的原因之一。而目前对薇甘菊化感作用的研究还较少，因而对薇甘菊化感作用的认识还有待深入的研究。另外，在对入侵植物入侵群落进行恢复时，由于入侵植物的凋落物以及生长过的土壤都还含有化感物质，常常导致恢复难以继续。因而选择抗化感能力强的物种来恢复薇甘菊的入侵地也成为该研究的一个主题。本文以薇甘菊为实验材料来研究薇甘菊化感作用对植物种子活力、种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响，同时筛选化感抗性强的物种以进行薇甘菊入侵地的恢复工作。其主要结论如下： 1、薇甘菊根和叶的提取液对植物种子活力、种子萌发和幼苗生长都有很大的抑制作用，并且这种抑制作用随着提取液浓度的升高以及处理时间的延长而加强，这证明了薇甘菊具有很强的化感作用。 2、一些植物种子萌发和幼苗生长在低、中浓度提取液以及高浓度提取液的短时间的处理下能被促进，不过在高浓度的提取液以及长时间的处理下都被抑制，这说明化感作用是抑制还是促进作用在很大程度上受到提取液浓度和处理时间的影响。 3、薇甘菊提取液（50 g L-1）对紫薇(Lagerstroemia indica)、刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)、黑麦草(Lolium perenne)和西葫芦（Cucurbita pepo）种子处理50-100 h就能极大的影响到其后的种子萌发和幼苗生长，这说明薇甘菊在短时间（50-100 h）就能给植物产生极强的化感作用，也进一步证实薇甘菊很强的化感作用。 4、由于各物种进化历史的不同，而且各物种在对薇甘菊的化感抗性上也存在着差异，所以各物种对薇甘菊提取液的化感反应也各不相同。 5、薇甘菊根提取液对刺槐和紫薇幼苗根的生长的影响要大于叶提取液对刺槐和紫薇幼苗根的生长的影响，而对刺槐和紫薇种子萌发率、初始萌发时间、萌发速率以及幼苗株高的影响却是叶提取液的化感作用强。这支持了一个新的假设：由于物种间代谢的多样性，至少在根和叶对受试植物根的化感影响方面，对于一些物种来说根的化感作用可能强于叶的化感作用，对于另一些物种来说叶的化感作用可能强于根的化感作用。 6、薇甘菊叶提取液对西葫芦种子活力、种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感影响大，而对其后开花时间以及开花的数目没有明显的影响，这说明薇甘菊对西葫芦生活史前期的化感影响要大于对西葫芦生活史后期的化感影响。 7、薇甘菊叶的水提取液对种子萌发的抑制作用要大于对幼苗生长的抑制作用;对非豆科植物种子萌发的影响要大于对豆科植物种子萌发的影响，而对非豆科植物幼苗生长的影响要小于对豆科植物幼苗生长的影响;对本地种的抑制作用要大于对外来归化种的抑制作用。 本研究证实了薇甘菊强烈的化感作用，根提取液对受体植物幼根生长的影响大于叶提取液对受体植物幼根生长的影响，这种化感作用可能极大的促进了薇甘菊的入侵。另外，在恢复薇甘菊入侵群落时，考虑到薇甘菊的化感作用，理应选择外来的已经归化了的非豆科植物的幼苗。