Emergy Efficiency and Structural Adjustment of Hunan Agro-ecosystem

[Objective] To analyze the efficiency of Hunan agro-ecosystem in 1980- 2010. [Method] This paper adopts the emergy methods to evaluate the emergy input and output. [Result] The growth of total emergy input was mainly caused by the auxiliary factors in this phase. The proportion of the nonrenewable purchased emergy input to the total auxiliary emergy input increased from 21.80% in 1980 to 33.04% in 2010. In 1980-2010 the total emergy output of the system increased by 2.43 times, the proportions of the stock farming emergy output and fishery emergy output to the total emergy output increased sharply, while those of the planting emergy output and forestry emergy output showed a considerable decline. [Conclusion] The emergy yield ratio of this system was improved but its sustainability was worrying.

Seasonal and Annual Variations of CO_2 Fluxes in Rain-Fed Winter Wheat Agro-Ecosystem of Loess Plateau, China

To accurately evaluate the carbon sequestration potential and better elucidate the relationship between the carbon cycle and regional climate change, using eddy covariance system, we conducted a long-term measurement of CO 2 fluxes in the rain-fed winter wheat field of the Chinese Loess Plateau. The results showed that the annual net ecosystem CO 2 exchange （NEE） was （-71.6±5.7） and （-65.3±5.3） g C m-2 y-1 for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 crop years, respectively, suggesting that the agro-ecosystem was a carbon sink （117.4-126.2 g C m-2 yr-1）. However, after considering the harvested grain, the agro- ecosystem turned into a moderate carbon source. The variations in NEE and ecosystem respiration （R eco ） were sensitive to changes in soil water content （SWC）. When SWC ranged form 0.15 to 0.21 m3 m-3, we found a highly significant relationship between NEE and photosynthetically active radiation （PAR）, and a highly significant relationship between R eco and soil temperature （T s ）. However, the highly significant relationships were not observed when SWC was outside the range of 0.15-0.21 m3 m-3. Further, in spring, the R eco instantly responded to a rapid increase in SWC after effective rainfall events, which could induce 2 to 4-fold increase in daily R eco , whereas the R eco was also inhibited by heavy summer rainfall when soils were saturated. Accumulated R eco in summer fallow period decreased carbon fixed in growing season by 16- 25%, indicating that the period imposed negative impacts on annual carbon sequestration.

Advances in Nitrogen Denitrification and N_2O Emission in Agro-ecosystem

Nitrification and denitrification are two key links of nitrogen flow cycle in soil.N2O and N2,generated from biochemical process of nitrogen,can cause not only the nitrogen losses and reduction of nitrogen use efficiency,but also the boosted concentration of greenhouse gases,severely endangering the environment.Accordingly,nitrification-denitrification has been more and more concerned from whether an agricultural view,or an environmental one.Referring to the related literatures published at home and abroad in recent years,we overviewed the denitrification-caused N loss and N2O emission in various agro-ecosystems,and based on which we put forward countermeasures to reduce the denitrification-caused N loss and N2O emission and its research prospects in the future.

NUMERICAL CLASSIFICATION OF REGIONAL STRUCTURE OF AGRO-ECOSYSTEM IN GUANGDONG

On the basis of 'The Statistical Data of Guangdong Province in 1981' and the 14 selected original variables, 107 counties and suburbs in Guangdong are classified. In the classification, cluster analysis is applied, and the cluster hierarchy of the agro-ecosystem is achieved with a computer. According to output level, planting structure, and input level of energy, there is an evident regionalism in the agro-ecosystem of Guangdong, which presents approximately concentric circles centralized by Guangzhou City.

Agro-ecosystem Emergy Evolution and Trend in Hunan Province

Using the emergy analysis method,we conduct trend analysis of changes in the total emergy,input and output structure,various emergy indicators of agro-ecosystem in Hunan Province during the period 1999-2008.The results show that during the study period,total emergy input basically remained stable,but the emergy input structure was constantly optimized,of which the input of non-renewable industrial assistant emergy increased by 38.4%,from 4.00E +22 sej to 5.53E +22 sej,and the input of renewable organic emergy declined from 1.32E +23 sej to 1.20E + 23 sej;total emergy yield and yield efficiency of this system were promoted dramatically,and in 2008,the total emergy yield reached 1.69E +23 sej,increasing by 23.8% as against that in 1999,the net emergy yield ratio rose from 0.79 to 0.96;since the environmental loading ratio also tended to rise constantly,from 1.12 to 1.79,the sustainability index of this system also experienced the slow downward trend,from 0.71 to 0.54,always less than 1,indicating that the agriculture in Hunan Province is the high consumption-driven ecosystem in general,with obvious features of extensive development.

Enhancing the Social and Natural Capital of Canadian Agro-Ecosystems through Incentive-Based “Alternative Land Use Services” (ALUS) Programs: Recurring Themes and Emerging Lessons

Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) is an incentive-based program established in Canada to pay farmers for their voluntary delivery of ecosystem services (ES). All seven ALUS programs across the country were examined using a standardized case-study approach based on site visits, reading internal documents, attending program meetings, and engaging in semi-structured interviews with program administrators, participating farmers, and advisory board members. Direct content analysis was used to highlight recurrent themes and emerging lessons in relation to the salient particulars of program physical location, administration framework, delivery of ES, and development and receipt by communities. Our three major findings are: 1) Overall, ALUS has been judged by participants to be a very successful program, whose strength is that it is completely voluntary, non-permanent, and readily adaptable to each location’s environmental conditions, economic funding base, and cultural milieu. 2) One serious shortcoming of all ALUS programs is a general lack of quantifiable data on their ability to increase ES. Instead, environmental benefits are either assumed or based on the idea that the areal extent of enrolled land is the sole measure of its environmental worth. 3) It may be that the social impact of ALUS is its greatest success. In this regard, for farmers, it is the process of engaging in land-use decision making and the recognition of their role as environmental stewards that is a bigger motivation for participating in an ALUS program than the modest financial incentives which they receive.

Lesser Kestrel Foraging Habitats in Special Protection Areas in Agro-ecosystems

The European Union （EU） Wild Birds Directive recognises that the most serious threats to wild birds＇ conservation in Europe are habitat loss and degradation, and hence, habitats of threatened and migratory species must be protected with the establishment of the network of the special protection areas （SPAs） for migratory and endangered bird species in the EU member states. The major European population of the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni, a migratory falcon listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive, occurs in low-input farming systems in the Mediterranean basin, including Greece. The aim of this study was to identify foraging habitats of lesser kestrels and relate them to the delimited SPAs in the agro-ecosystems of Greece, where the stronghold of the species population for Greece occurs. Foraging habitat preferences were assessed using Poisson regression models （PRMs）. SPAs were examined on whether they can effectively protect foraging habitats for breeding lesser kestrels in the study area. Foraging lesser kestrel abundance was positively associated with grasslands and non-irrigated land （dry cereals）, and negatively associated with irrigated land （wet cotton）, scrubland and woodland. Electricity facilities were used as foraging perches by lesser kestrels. The current SPAs cover a small percentage of the species＇ foraging sites and cannot be considered coherent enough to support and protect the foraging habitats of lesser kestrels and other priority species in the agro-ecosystems of the study area. Proposals for effective conservation of low-input farming systems, supporting priority species, are also presented.

Project on Interaction between Agro-ecosystems and Global Change Making Progress

A research project on interaction between agroecosystems and global change has been accepted as a Category Ⅰ contribution to IGBP-GCTE (International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme-Global Change & Terrestrial Ecosystems) Core Research, the highest-level support GCTE has offered to an individual research project so far. This was confirmed by Prof. Noble, GCTE Chairman, in a letter to Prof. Peng Shaolin, Principal Investigator of

复杂系统顶点赋权因果关系图模型及其应用研究

构建了介于系统动力学因果关系图模型和流图模型之间的中间模型——复杂系统顶点赋权因果关系图模型,提出定性与定量相结合的复杂系统顶点赋权因果关系图分析法。通过一个以生猪规模养殖为主体的农业生态系统可持续发展的反馈分析案例,演示了利用其对系统进行定性与定量相结合的系统分析的基本步骤及优势。

浙北陈氏中医内科历代医家生平及著作考(上)

[目的]从生平、著作等角度对浙北地区陈氏中医内科最早的四位医家即陆兰坡、张希白、吴炳、吴仁培进行考察。[方法]以传承谱系为线索,通过对《嘉善县志》《嘉善名医传略》《浙北医学史略》《浙江医人考》《浙江省人物志》等史料及陈氏中医内科相关著作的研究,结合陈氏后人评述,对陈氏中医内科四位始祖的生平及著作进行考证和整理。[结果]经考证,清代乾隆时期的青浦名医陆兰坡为陈氏中医源头,至今已将近三百年。其传人张希白,不仅精于医术亦弘扬医道,著有《药性蒙求》《斑疹新论》《临证碎玉》等著作。其弟子吴炳古道热肠,学识渊博,著有《证治心得》12卷。吴炳之子吴仁培,学验俱丰,著有《延陵医案》3卷。[结论]嘉善陈氏中医,源远流长,历代名医辈出。陆、张等四位祖师不仅医术精湛,仁厚待人,并且将经验著于书中,流传后世。陈氏中医内科是浙派中医在浙北地区一支重要的分支,具有很高的学习及借鉴意义。

The Importance of Insects in Agricultural Ecosystems

Sufficient food production for a growing human population has become an issue of global concern. Almost all of the world’s fertile land is currently in use and arable land areas cannot be expanded significantly. The global challenge is to secure high and quality yields and to make agricultural production environmentally compatible. Insects have been hugely successful in terms of both species richness and abundance. Insects make up the most numerous group of organisms on earth, around 66% of all animal species, and being good dispersers and exploiters of virtually all types of organic matter, can be found almost everywhere, forming an important part of every ecosystem and are vital within our food supply chains performing valuable ecosystem services. Insects have been predominantly perceived as competitors in the race for survival. Herbivorous insects damage 18% of world agricultural production. Despite this damage less than 0.5 percentage of the total number of the known insect species are considered pests. Insect pests are created through the manipulation of habitats by humans, where crops are selected for larger size, higher yields, nutritious value, and are cultivated in monocultures for maximum production. This provides a highly favourable environment for the population increase of herbivorous insects. To ensure stable crop yields we need to change the management strategies of agroecosystems. We need to manage these systems in such a way that insects performing valuable ecosystem services are also incorporated into the system. This will ensure stable, resilient and sustainable systems in a constantly changing environment and will go a long way to ensure future food security. This paper examines the important role that insects generally play in ecosystems and how the services that insects provide can improve agricultural ecosystems.

Spatial and temporal variability of soil freeze-thaw cycling across Southern Alberta, Canada

Soil freeze-thaw cycles play an important role in all aspects of agro-ecosystems, such as crop productivity, the evolution of the soil matrix, including trace-gas emissions. In regions that experience synoptic weather conditions throughout the winter, freeze-thaw cycles generally occur in one of two categories;seasonal or winter cycles. Current soil vegetation atmosphere models (SVAT’s) often include a heat-transport soil freeze-thaw algorithm, but lack detail on complex interactions between the main driving variables. Boundary conditions for these models are often based only on a few climate variables and typically lack regional context. A nested statistical analysis was applied to identify the optimal set of environmental variables (via a stepwise regression selection procedure) to track soil freeze-thaw dynamics. Historical data collected between the years 2006-2009, for 17 long-term climate stations distributed across southern Alberta Canada was utilized. Cross-correlation between wind speed and maximum air temperature identified Chinook-driven freeze-thaw events, with such interaction varying significantly across the region and by soil depth. Climate-soil interactions were most significant predictors of soil temperature during winter months. The seasonal freeze-thaw cycle is estimated to vary between 112 - 131 days, consisting of 12 - 20 winter cycles (1 cm depth), and 1-5 winter cycles (5 cm depth) with average lag time of 26 - 112 days. Freeze-thaw prediction was greatly improved when higher-order climate interaction terms were considered. Our findings highlight the importance for soil-water and more complex ecosystem, SVAT models to better resolve regional-driven climatic trends. Alongside improved representation of regional trends aimed at reducing model-based uncertainty, such efforts are expected to, in tandem, help advance the geostatistical design, and implementation of agroenvironmental monitoring systems that combine in-situ and satellite/remote-sensing derived estimates of near-surface soil moisture.

Evaluation of Nitrogen Cycling Associated with Agricultural Production and Environmental Load in a Mountain Region,in Hokkaido,Japan

This study examined the nitrogen cycling associated with agricultural production and environmental load in central Hokkaido. The nitrogen (N) budget analysis model offers a new set of tools for evaluating N cycling in agro-ecosystems. The cycling index (CI) is a useful tool for estimating optimal N flows in farmlands. The fertilization index (FI) is a useful indicator for characterizing the N flows related to farms. Using these parameters, we analyzed all farm systems to estimate the optimal N cycling for minimizing N pollution in groundwater and maximizing agricultural production in mountain regions of Japan. The results showed that the critical N application rate (chemical fertilizer + manure) was 143.3 kg N ha-1 y-1. The critical inter-system input (chemical fertilizer N, imported food and feed N, and natural supplied N) was 169.2 kg N ha-1 y-1.

The Shift of Traditional Agroecosystems in the in Eastern Arc Catchments of Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to identify the drivers of the shift of traditional agro-ecosystems and their implication on catchment resources management of Eastern Arc Catchments of Tanzania. Lower Mngeta and Upper Zigi water catchments are situated within Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. Household questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussion were used for collecting primary data. The findings indicated that most of the participants (85.9% and 90.4% in Lower Mngeta and Upper Zigi catchments respectively) depend on subsistence rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. However, there are significant changes in production as a result of land fertility deteriorating and negative climatic changes (seasonal shift). This has become a major challenge for most of the farmers. To cope with agro-ecosystem dynamics, farmers in the study areas use both traditional and modern strategies as illustrated in the results section. While tradition always reported to be inexpensive, some modern agro-ecosystem practices reported to cause siltation, killing of fish and herbal plants, easy rotting of seeds (for maize) and bad aroma (for rice)in spite of having a high rate of return. It was also reported that depletion of traditions and norms of conduct, accelerated by multi-cultural interaction from immigrants, have led to deterioration of traditional agriculture practices. Moreover, arrival of agriculture companies and introduction of spice farming was reported to have caused manpower imbalance, unequal distribution of natural resources and less diversity of indigenous plants. The study concludes that communities are much into economic opportunity derived from agro-ecosystem than stewarding it. The study recommends that the effort restoring catchment ecosystem should come from both traditional and modern strategies so as to harmonize and accommodate environmental, economic and traditional values.

A Three-Dimensional Model for Special Ecological Agricultural System (SEAS) in the Southeast Fujian Province

Although the southeast Fujian Province has favorable bio-climatic conditions, traditional farming models are limited in effective exploitation of agriculture related resources and have deteriorated the agricultural environment. After analyzing the conditions at Maping town, we designed a three-dimensional model, special ecological agricultural system (SEAS), at Maping town. The SEAS has been practiced for three years and results show that the SEAS more efficiently utilizes local time and space resources and gains more econo- mic, ecological and social benefits. Thus, the SEAS has been considered as an optimal model for sustainable utilization of agricultural resources.

Emergy Analysis of the Agricultural Eco-economic System in Dongting Lake Area of Hunan Province

[ Objective] The reseamh aimed to discuss eco-efficiency of the agro-ecosystem in Dongting Lake area of Hunan. [ Method] By referring to emergy reseamh method, emergy structure, function and efficiency of the system were analyzed according to emergy input -output data of the system in 2009. [ Result] The system had developed economy, and mechanization and modernization degrees were higher. Emergy output of the system was unbalanced, and market pricing of the agricultural product was significantly lower, especially farming product. Seen from sustainable development index and environmental loading ratio of the system, the system was full of vitality and development potential. The pressure of natural resources and environment was not very great, but the system accommodated too many populations. [ Conclusion] Basic direction of the agricultur- al policy in the zone was further shortening industrial and agricultural price scissors, continuing to implement price protection of the farming product, adjusting agricultural and product structures and transferring surplus labor.

Levels of Heavy Metals in the Soil: Effects of Season, Agronomic Practice and Soil Geology

Heavy metals status of agricultural soils should be monitored in order to prevent soil-plant pollution. This study evaluates the effect of season, agronomic practice and soil mineral composition on the levels of some heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Ni, Fe, and Zn) in the arable and oil palm soils of three Farm Settlements in Ogun-State Southwest, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected in two consecutive seasons between 2010 and 2012 and digestion was carried out using Standard Wet Acid Digestion method. Total heavy metals in the digest were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The total levels of heavy metals (in mg/kg) found in the sampled soils were as follows: in the rainy season Mn (28.4 - 34.2), Fe (1599.7 - 2013.2), Pb (11.0 - 16.9), Zn (100.5 - 112.9) and Ni (11.3 - 13.8) and in the dry season Mn (32.1 - 40.1), Fe (1701.4 - 2455.5), Pb (13.0 - 18.7), Zn (105.7 - 110.4) and Ni (15.5 - 16.3). Levels of the heavy metals found in the sampled soils were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than their permissible levels in agricultural soils. Although the levels of heavy metals determined in dry season were higher than those of the rainy season, the only seasonal difference was that of Fe in Sawonjo soil significant at p = 0.05. The level of heavy metals in oil palm soils was significantly higher than the level in arable soils (p < 0.05). At present, pollution level of heavy metals in the sampled soils is low and poses no environmental risk, yet, they have to be regularly monitored before they bio-accumulate into toxic. Government should therefore set up soil monitoring agency and provide irrigation facilities to encourage dry season farming.

Measurement on the Harmony Coefficient of Agro-eco-economic System in the Arid Region

On the basis of the present research progress of ecological agriculture,we take Minle County and Linze County located in the middle reaches of Heihe River as the typical research units.Based on the rural social and economic data during the period of 2000-2010,theory and method of mathematical statistics are used to establish the measure theory and model of agro-eco-economic system harmony coefficient,including efficacy function,function of harmony coefficient,harmony coefficient and level of harmony coefficient.Based on the actual situation of research region,evaluation indicator system of agro-eco-economic system is established and measurement is carried out.Results show that the regional agro-eco-economic system in research region was in a serious imbalance in 2000-2013.The harmony coefficient of Minle showed a slight rise from 2000 to 2004,and then presented a fluctuating decline.Its rank of harmony coefficient experienced serious imbalance-extreme imbalance-moderate imbalance-low imbalance-serious imbalance-high imbalance.At the same time,the similar tendency happened in Linze County.The measuring results of subsystem in 2000-2013 further indicated that except that the harmony coefficient of economic subsystem in Minle County and Linze County was moderate and high,the ecological subsystem was at Level II and Level III,and social subsystem was at Level IV and Level III,in high and low imbalance status.Finally,several recommendations were put forward for optimizing agro-eco-economic system.

Changes in cropland topsoil organic carbon with different fertilizations under long-term agro-ecosystem experiments across China's Mainland

Topsoil soil organic carbon(SOC) data were collected from long-term Chinese agro-ecosystem experiments presented in 76 reports with measurements over 1977 and 2006.The data set comprised 481 observations(135 rice paddies and 346 dry croplands) of SOC under different fertilization schemes at 70 experimental sites(28 rice paddies and 42 dry croplands).The data set covered 16 dominant soil types found in croplands across 23 provinces of China's Mainland.The fertilization schemes were grouped into six categories:N(inorganic nitrogen fertilizer only),NP(compound inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers),NPK(compound inorganic nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium fertilizers),O(organic fertilizers only),OF(combined inorganic/organic fertilization) and Others(other unbalanced fertilizations such as P only,K only,P plus K and N plus K).Relative change in SOC content was analyzed,and rice paddies and dry croplands soils were compared.There was an overall temporal increase in topsoil SOC content,and relative annual change(RAC,g kg-1 yr-1) ranged -0.14-0.60(0.13 on average) for dry cropland soils and -0.12-0.70(0.19 on average) for rice paddies.SOC content increase was higher in rice paddies than in dry croplands.SOC increased across experimental sites,but was higher under organic fertilization and combined organic/inorganic fertilizations than chemical fertilizations.SOC increase was higher under balanced chemical fertilizations with compound N,P and K fertilizers than unbalanced fertilizations such as N only,N plus P,and N plus K.The effects of specific rational fertilizations on SOC increase persisted for 15 years in dry croplands and 20 years in rice paddies,although RAC values decreased generally as the experiment duration increased.Therefore,the extension of rational fertilization in China's croplands may offer a technical option to enhance C sequestration potential and to sustain long-term crop productivity.