The research of soil classification and soil grade evaluation is often based on fuzzy theory. So, the traditional method has an inevitable problem about weight matrix which given by some experts, and the final result ...The research of soil classification and soil grade evaluation is often based on fuzzy theory. So, the traditional method has an inevitable problem about weight matrix which given by some experts, and the final result can be influenced by artificial factors. The essentials of fuzzy synthetically judge is to handle the data of high dimension. That is to reducing the dimension number. The weight matrix in fuzzy theory is corresponding to low dimension projection value of each index. But we can′t define whether the weight matrix given by experts is the best projection value or not. So, the authors apply a new technique of falling dimension named projection pursuit to soil study, through using the improved real coding based accelerating genetic algorithm to optimize the projection direction. Thus, it can transfer multi dimension data into one dimension data, through searching for the optimum projection direction to realize the soil classification and its grade evaluation. The method can avoid the artificial disturbance, and acquire preferably effect. Thus, the paper provides a new method to the research of soil classification and grade evaluation.展开更多
A machine-learning approach was developed for automated building of knowledgebases for soil resources mapping by using a classification tree to generate knowledge from trainingdata. With this method, building a knowle...A machine-learning approach was developed for automated building of knowledgebases for soil resources mapping by using a classification tree to generate knowledge from trainingdata. With this method, building a knowledge base for automated soil mapping was easier than usingthe conventional knowledge acquisition approach. The knowledge base built by classification tree wasused by the knowledge classifier to perform the soil type classification of Longyou County,Zhejiang Province, China using Landsat TM bi-temporal images and CIS data. To evaluate theperformance of the resultant knowledge bases, the classification results were compared to existingsoil map based on a field survey. The accuracy assessment and analysis of the resultant soil mapssuggested that the knowledge bases built by the machine-learning method was of good quality formapping distribution model of soil classes over the study area.展开更多
Human activity and urbanization result in urban-rural environmental gradients. Understanding effect of the gradients on soil properties is necessary for management of the soils around urban areas. In this study, soil ...Human activity and urbanization result in urban-rural environmental gradients. Understanding effect of the gradients on soil properties is necessary for management of the soils around urban areas. In this study, soil quality of some vegetable fields was characterized along an urban-rural gradient in Shaoxing County, Zhejiang Province. Fifteen soil physical and chemical properties were evaluated by using principal component analysis.Results showed that there was a great variation in the soil quality along the gradient. From rural to urban zones, soil organic matter, water-stable aggregates, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), total N and P, and available K increased, whereas soil pH value decreased. In addition, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn and Cr in the soils tended to be accumulated toward the urban zone. Sequential chemical extraction showed that mobility of all the heavy metals in the soils tended to increase from the rural to the urban zones. The variation of soil properties accounted for by the first principal component was significantly explained by the difference in application rates of municipal wastes.展开更多
Interdecadal and interannuat variations of saline-alkali land area in Qian'an County, Jilin Province, China were comprehensively analyzed in this paper by means of satellite remote sensing interpretation, field flux ...Interdecadal and interannuat variations of saline-alkali land area in Qian'an County, Jilin Province, China were comprehensively analyzed in this paper by means of satellite remote sensing interpretation, field flux observations and regional climate diagnosis. The results show that on the interannual scale, the impact of climate factors accounts for 71.6% of the total variation of the saline-alkali land area, and that of human activities accounts for 28.4%. Therefore the impact of climate factors is obviously greater than that of human activities. On the interdecadal scale, the impact of climate factors on the increase of the saline-alkali land area accounts for 43.2%, and that of human activities accounts for 56.8%. The impact of human activities on the variation of saline-alkali land area is very clear on the interdecadal scale, and the negative impact of human activities on the environment should not be negligible. Besides, changes in the area of heavy saline-alkali land have some indication for development of saline-alkali land in Qian'an County.展开更多
The reserve of soil nutrients is limited. In case of irrational use of land, nutrients would be depleted sooner. Before the 1950s the low grain production in China was maintained only by expanding the cultivated area ...The reserve of soil nutrients is limited. In case of irrational use of land, nutrients would be depleted sooner. Before the 1950s the low grain production in China was maintained only by expanding the cultivated area and by recycling of nutrients in agriculture. Calculation of nutrients balance showed that in the year of 1949 there were great deficits of N, P and K elements in agriculture of China. It revealed that there would have really been danger of soil nutrients exhaustion if such a situation had continued. Things have changed since the beginning of 1950s. The nutrients balance in agriculture has been getting better and better. In the year 1987 N and P balance got rid of their great deficits. But for K the deficit grew even larger. This resulted in a rapid expansion of soil area deficient in K in China since the mid 1970s. In spite of the fact that the P balance in the arable land of the whole country was positive, the field which did not receive P fertilizer had become deficient in P. So the area deficient in P also increased. It is stressed that great attention should be paid to the depletion of soil nutrients, especially K in the northern part of China where the soil is relatively rich in K. Of course, soil sulfur and microelements should be considered next.展开更多
As the main body of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, North Tibet Plateau is one of three major sandy desertification regions in China and also a representative sandy desertification zone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Accordingly,...As the main body of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, North Tibet Plateau is one of three major sandy desertification regions in China and also a representative sandy desertification zone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Accordingly, it is an important region for the study of recent sandy desertification processes and formation mechanism. From such aspects as desertified land types, areas and distributions etc., this paper analyses in detail the sandy desertification status on North Tibet Plateau, and qualitatively and quantitatively deals with the main factors that affect recent sandy desertification processes and the driving mechanism. Research results show that North Tibet Plateau is an important sandy desertification region in China characterized with large desertified land areas, diversified types, high severity, extensive distributions and serious damages. Sandy desertification occurrence and development resulted from combined effects of natural factors, anthropogenic factors, natural processes and man-made processes, of which climatic change is the main driving force.展开更多
Forest fire is one of the major causes of forest loss and therefore one of the main constraints for sustainable forest management worldwide.Identifying the driving factors and understanding the contribution of each fa...Forest fire is one of the major causes of forest loss and therefore one of the main constraints for sustainable forest management worldwide.Identifying the driving factors and understanding the contribution of each factor are essential for the management of forest fire occurrence.The objective of this study is to identify variables that are spatially related to the occurrence and incidence of the forest fire in the State of Durango,Mexico.For this purpose,data from forest fire records for a five-year period were analyzed.The spatial correlations between forest fire occurrence and intensity of land use,susceptibility of vegetation,temperature,precipitation and slope were tested by Geographically Weighted Regression(GWR) method,under an Ordinary Least Square estimator.Results show that the spatial pattern of the forest fire in the study area is closely correlated with the intensity of land use,and land use change is one of the main explanatory variables.In addition,vegetation type and precipitation are also the main driving factors.The fitting model indicates obvious link between the variables.Forest fire was found to be the consequence of a particular combination of the environmental factors,and when these factors coexist with human activities,there is high probability of forest fire occurrence.Mandatory regulation of human activities is a key strategy for forest fire prevention.展开更多
A new land cover classification system was established for the Three Gorges Reservoir Region(TGRR) after considering the continuity of inundation and the natural characteristics of land cover. The potential evapotrans...A new land cover classification system was established for the Three Gorges Reservoir Region(TGRR) after considering the continuity of inundation and the natural characteristics of land cover. The potential evapotranspiration(PET) was predicted using a modified Penman-Monteith(P-M) model. The region's ratio of precipitation to evapotranspiration was calculated as the humidity index(HI). The data obtained was used to analyze climatic responses to land cover conversions from the perspectives of evapotranspiration and humidity variations. The results show that, from 1997 to 2009, the average annual PET increased in the early years and decreased later. In terms of overall spatial distribution, a significant reciprocal relationship appeared between annual PET and annual HI. In 1997,the annual PET was higher in the lower reaches than in the upper reaches of the TGRR, but the areas with high PET shifted substantially westward by 2003. The annual PET continued to increase in 2006, but the areas with high PET shrank by 2009. In contrast, the annual HI showed varying degrees of localized spatial variability. Over the three periods, the dominantforms of land cover conversions occurred from evergreen cover to seasonal green cover, from seasonal green cover to evergreen cover, and from seasonal green cover to seasonally inundated areas, respectively. These accounted for 48.0%, 38.4%, and 23.8% of the total areas of converted land covers in the three periods, respectively. During the period between 1997 and 2003, the main forms of land cover conversions resulted in both positive and negative growths in the average annual PET, while all of them pushed down the average annual HI. From 2003 to 2006, the reservoir region experienced neither a decrease in the annual PET nor an increase in the annual HI. The period between 2006 and 2009 saw a consistent downward trend in the annual PET and a consistent upward trend in the annual HI.展开更多
Propagation of exotic plant species is found in many regions of Madagascar Island. This work aims to describe the impacts of the propagation of Grevillea banksii on soil microbial activities and on the regeneration of...Propagation of exotic plant species is found in many regions of Madagascar Island. This work aims to describe the impacts of the propagation of Grevillea banksii on soil microbial activities and on the regeneration of two native tree species (Intsia bij'uga and Dalbergia trichocarpa) in the eastern part of Madagascar. The study was conducted within Ianjomara forest where some types of the vegetation are observed such as an area characterized by grassland (P 1), by homogeneous population of G. banksii (P2) and by a natural forest composed mainly of L bijuga or D. trichocarpa (P3 and P4). Structure of mycorrhizal fungi communities and associated microorganisms were described on soils from each study plot. The development of I. b^juga and 1). trichocarpa, was evaluated 4 months after planting on P1, P2, P3, P4 soils formerly colonized by G. banksii. According to the nutrients availability on each soil type, the development of G. banksii was accompanied or not by a high formation of cluster roots. The authors' results also show that soil occupied by G. banksii decreased the global microbial and phosphatase activities of soil especially on soil within a high density of cluster roots. Moderately mycotrophic, G. banksii disturbs the structure and the dynamics of symbiotic microflora such as endomycorrhizal fungi (MA) and rhizobia associated with the two native tree species. The findings illustrate the negative impact of G. banksii propagation on the regeneration and the conservation of native tree species in Madagascarian forest.展开更多
Recent studies show an increase in the population of beavers, nutria and other rodents in vast regions of central Europe over the last 15 years. Unfortunately, this caused in many instances considerable damage on larg...Recent studies show an increase in the population of beavers, nutria and other rodents in vast regions of central Europe over the last 15 years. Unfortunately, this caused in many instances considerable damage on large rivers along dykes and earthworks in the floodplain areas, leading to an increased risk of bank failures. However, most of these mammals belong to protected species. This work is aimed at showing positive experience in cooperation with universities, research institutes and environmental agencies regarding measures to permanently safeguard the banks using composite erosion control systems with polymer coated steel wire net (as flexible reinforcement component) and a geosynthetic (to promote vegetation growth). The steel mesh component works as an effective long-term barrier against the intrusion of mammals, discouraging them from digging inside the core of the dyke. An analysis of the sensitive areas to be protected led also to definition of the characteristics of these interventions (length, shape, escape ways, population areas, etc.). The study will present several additional benefits when using polymer steel nets along dykes, such as: high and durable erosion protection in overflow areas, promotion of fast and effective vegetation growth (increasing stability), surface protection against ice impacts (in northern regions), ease of installation, maintenance, ability to conform to irregular shapes of the slope. This work will also present the positive outcome of research studies along dykes in Germany, Austria and in Italy.展开更多
At least 1,065 introduced vertebrate species have been introduced in the United States and its territories, including at least 86 mammalian, 127 avian, 179 reptilian/amphibian, and 673 fish species. Examples in each m...At least 1,065 introduced vertebrate species have been introduced in the United States and its territories, including at least 86 mammalian, 127 avian, 179 reptilian/amphibian, and 673 fish species. Examples in each major taxonomic group include domestic cat, small Indian mongoose, red fox, goat, pig, rabbit, rats, house mouse, gray squirrel, nutria, starling, Indian common myna, red-vented bulbul, brown treesnake, red-eared slider, brown trout, tilapia, and grass carp. We briefly review some of these species and the types of damage they cause. We then review the basic types of methods used for control or eradication of each taxonomic group, including physical, chemical, biological, and cultural methods. We discuss some of the challenges in managing these species, including issues with the use of toxicants, land access, public attitudes, and monitoring difficulties. Finally, we list some ongoing research and future research needs, including improved detection methods, improved attractants, improved barriers, improved capture methods, fertility control, and risk assessment methods [Current Zoology 57 (5): 559-567, 2011].展开更多
The Yellow River basin is well known for its high sediment yield. However, this sediment yield has clearly decreased since the 1980 s, especially after the year 2000. The annual average sediment yield was 1.2 billion ...The Yellow River basin is well known for its high sediment yield. However, this sediment yield has clearly decreased since the 1980 s, especially after the year 2000. The annual average sediment yield was 1.2 billion tons before 2000, but has significantly decreased to 0.3 billion tons over the last 10 years. Changes in discharge and sediment yield for the Yellow River have attracted the attention of both the Central Government and local communities. This study aimed to identify the individual contributions of changes in precipitation and human activities(e.g. water conservancy projects, terracing, silt dams, socio-economic and needs, and soil and water conservation measures) to the decrease in discharge and sediment yield of the Yellow River. The study used both improved the hydrological method and the soil and water conservation method. The study focused on discharge analysis for the upper reaches and the investigation of sediments for the middle reaches of the river. The results showed that discharge and sediment yield have both presented significant decreasing trends over the past 50 years. Precipitation showed an insignificant decreasing trend over the same period. The annual average discharge decreased by 5.68 billion m3 above Lanzhou reach of the Yellow River from 2000 to 2012; human activities(e.g. socio-economic water use) contributed 43.4% of the total reduction, whereas natural factors(e.g. evaporation from lakes, wetlands and reservoirs) accounted for 56.6%. The decrease in annual discharge and sediment yield of the section between Hekouzhen station and Tongguan station were 12.4 billion m3 and 1.24 billion tons, respectively. Human activities contributed 76.5% and 72.2% of the total reduction in discharge and sediment yield, respectively, and were therefore the dominant factors in the changes in discharge and sediment yield of the Yellow River.展开更多
It is important to study the contributions of climate change and human activities to cropland changes in the fields of both climate change and land use change. Relationships between cropland changes and driving forces...It is important to study the contributions of climate change and human activities to cropland changes in the fields of both climate change and land use change. Relationships between cropland changes and driving forces were qualitatively studied in most of the previous researches. However, the quantitative assessments of the contributions of climate change and human activities to cropland changes are needed to be explored for a better understanding of the dynamics of land use changes. We systematically reviewed the methods of identifying the contributions of climate change and human activities to cropland changes at quantitative aspects, including model analysis, mathematical statistical method, framework analysis, index assessment and difference comparison. Progress of the previous researches on quantitative evaluation of the contributions was introduced. Then we discussed four defects in the assessment of the contributions of climate change and human activities. For example, the methods were lack of comprehensiveness, and the data need to be more accurate and abundant. In addition, the scale was single and the explanations were biased. Moreover, we concluded a clue about quantitative approach to assess the contributions from synthetically aspect to specific driving forces. Finally, the solutions of the future researches on data, scale and explanation were proposed.展开更多
Moderate grazing by cattle increases the heterogeneity of soil and vegetation. This has been suggested as an ecologically sustainable mean of managing natural environments endangered by tree encroachment, such as heat...Moderate grazing by cattle increases the heterogeneity of soil and vegetation. This has been suggested as an ecologically sustainable mean of managing natural environments endangered by tree encroachment, such as heathlands. Our study was performed to test the impact of grazing intensity on soil macroinvertebrate communities in heterogeneous landscapes in a private property eligible to the Natura 2000 European Network of Special Protection Areas within the Brenne Natural Regional Park (Indre, ~rance). We sampled macroinvertebrates along a broken line crossing 5 different land-use types, from pasture to pine forest, passing through a besom heath (Erica scoparia) heathland at 3 levels of cattle pressure. We hypothesized that: i) litter-dwelling (mostly arthropods and mollusks) and soil-dwelling macroinvertebrates (mostly earthworms) would respond in an opposite manner to various grazing intensities, and ii) intermediate cattle pressure (pastured heath) would increase soil and community heterogeneity. The results supported the first hypothesis, which was explained by land-use impacts mediated by soil properties. However, our results supported only partly the second hypothesis since maximum dissimilarity (whether in the composition of soil macroinvertebrate communities or in soil features) was observed in only one out of the two pastured heaths where cattle pressure was intermediate.展开更多
文摘The research of soil classification and soil grade evaluation is often based on fuzzy theory. So, the traditional method has an inevitable problem about weight matrix which given by some experts, and the final result can be influenced by artificial factors. The essentials of fuzzy synthetically judge is to handle the data of high dimension. That is to reducing the dimension number. The weight matrix in fuzzy theory is corresponding to low dimension projection value of each index. But we can′t define whether the weight matrix given by experts is the best projection value or not. So, the authors apply a new technique of falling dimension named projection pursuit to soil study, through using the improved real coding based accelerating genetic algorithm to optimize the projection direction. Thus, it can transfer multi dimension data into one dimension data, through searching for the optimum projection direction to realize the soil classification and its grade evaluation. The method can avoid the artificial disturbance, and acquire preferably effect. Thus, the paper provides a new method to the research of soil classification and grade evaluation.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.40101014 and 40001008).
文摘A machine-learning approach was developed for automated building of knowledgebases for soil resources mapping by using a classification tree to generate knowledge from trainingdata. With this method, building a knowledge base for automated soil mapping was easier than usingthe conventional knowledge acquisition approach. The knowledge base built by classification tree wasused by the knowledge classifier to perform the soil type classification of Longyou County,Zhejiang Province, China using Landsat TM bi-temporal images and CIS data. To evaluate theperformance of the resultant knowledge bases, the classification results were compared to existingsoil map based on a field survey. The accuracy assessment and analysis of the resultant soil mapssuggested that the knowledge bases built by the machine-learning method was of good quality formapping distribution model of soil classes over the study area.
基金Project supported by the National Key Basic Research Support Foundation (NKBRSF) of China (No. 1999011809).
文摘Human activity and urbanization result in urban-rural environmental gradients. Understanding effect of the gradients on soil properties is necessary for management of the soils around urban areas. In this study, soil quality of some vegetable fields was characterized along an urban-rural gradient in Shaoxing County, Zhejiang Province. Fifteen soil physical and chemical properties were evaluated by using principal component analysis.Results showed that there was a great variation in the soil quality along the gradient. From rural to urban zones, soil organic matter, water-stable aggregates, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), total N and P, and available K increased, whereas soil pH value decreased. In addition, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn and Cr in the soils tended to be accumulated toward the urban zone. Sequential chemical extraction showed that mobility of all the heavy metals in the soils tended to increase from the rural to the urban zones. The variation of soil properties accounted for by the first principal component was significantly explained by the difference in application rates of municipal wastes.
基金Under the auspices of National Key Technology R&D Program of China (No. 2007BAC29B01)Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2006CB400500)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.40575047, 40705036, 40975055)Key Program of Jilin Provincial Science & Technology Department (No. 20020417)
文摘Interdecadal and interannuat variations of saline-alkali land area in Qian'an County, Jilin Province, China were comprehensively analyzed in this paper by means of satellite remote sensing interpretation, field flux observations and regional climate diagnosis. The results show that on the interannual scale, the impact of climate factors accounts for 71.6% of the total variation of the saline-alkali land area, and that of human activities accounts for 28.4%. Therefore the impact of climate factors is obviously greater than that of human activities. On the interdecadal scale, the impact of climate factors on the increase of the saline-alkali land area accounts for 43.2%, and that of human activities accounts for 56.8%. The impact of human activities on the variation of saline-alkali land area is very clear on the interdecadal scale, and the negative impact of human activities on the environment should not be negligible. Besides, changes in the area of heavy saline-alkali land have some indication for development of saline-alkali land in Qian'an County.
文摘The reserve of soil nutrients is limited. In case of irrational use of land, nutrients would be depleted sooner. Before the 1950s the low grain production in China was maintained only by expanding the cultivated area and by recycling of nutrients in agriculture. Calculation of nutrients balance showed that in the year of 1949 there were great deficits of N, P and K elements in agriculture of China. It revealed that there would have really been danger of soil nutrients exhaustion if such a situation had continued. Things have changed since the beginning of 1950s. The nutrients balance in agriculture has been getting better and better. In the year 1987 N and P balance got rid of their great deficits. But for K the deficit grew even larger. This resulted in a rapid expansion of soil area deficient in K in China since the mid 1970s. In spite of the fact that the P balance in the arable land of the whole country was positive, the field which did not receive P fertilizer had become deficient in P. So the area deficient in P also increased. It is stressed that great attention should be paid to the depletion of soil nutrients, especially K in the northern part of China where the soil is relatively rich in K. Of course, soil sulfur and microelements should be considered next.
文摘As the main body of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, North Tibet Plateau is one of three major sandy desertification regions in China and also a representative sandy desertification zone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Accordingly, it is an important region for the study of recent sandy desertification processes and formation mechanism. From such aspects as desertified land types, areas and distributions etc., this paper analyses in detail the sandy desertification status on North Tibet Plateau, and qualitatively and quantitatively deals with the main factors that affect recent sandy desertification processes and the driving mechanism. Research results show that North Tibet Plateau is an important sandy desertification region in China characterized with large desertified land areas, diversified types, high severity, extensive distributions and serious damages. Sandy desertification occurrence and development resulted from combined effects of natural factors, anthropogenic factors, natural processes and man-made processes, of which climatic change is the main driving force.
基金Under the auspices of Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (No 2008-01-87972)
文摘Forest fire is one of the major causes of forest loss and therefore one of the main constraints for sustainable forest management worldwide.Identifying the driving factors and understanding the contribution of each factor are essential for the management of forest fire occurrence.The objective of this study is to identify variables that are spatially related to the occurrence and incidence of the forest fire in the State of Durango,Mexico.For this purpose,data from forest fire records for a five-year period were analyzed.The spatial correlations between forest fire occurrence and intensity of land use,susceptibility of vegetation,temperature,precipitation and slope were tested by Geographically Weighted Regression(GWR) method,under an Ordinary Least Square estimator.Results show that the spatial pattern of the forest fire in the study area is closely correlated with the intensity of land use,and land use change is one of the main explanatory variables.In addition,vegetation type and precipitation are also the main driving factors.The fitting model indicates obvious link between the variables.Forest fire was found to be the consequence of a particular combination of the environmental factors,and when these factors coexist with human activities,there is high probability of forest fire occurrence.Mandatory regulation of human activities is a key strategy for forest fire prevention.
基金partially supported and funded by Chongqing Research Program of Basic Research and Frontier Technology (Grant No. cstc2017jcyj B0317)Chongqing University Innovation Team Building Plan (Grant No. CXTDX201601017)Science and Technology Project of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (Grant No. KJ1738462)
文摘A new land cover classification system was established for the Three Gorges Reservoir Region(TGRR) after considering the continuity of inundation and the natural characteristics of land cover. The potential evapotranspiration(PET) was predicted using a modified Penman-Monteith(P-M) model. The region's ratio of precipitation to evapotranspiration was calculated as the humidity index(HI). The data obtained was used to analyze climatic responses to land cover conversions from the perspectives of evapotranspiration and humidity variations. The results show that, from 1997 to 2009, the average annual PET increased in the early years and decreased later. In terms of overall spatial distribution, a significant reciprocal relationship appeared between annual PET and annual HI. In 1997,the annual PET was higher in the lower reaches than in the upper reaches of the TGRR, but the areas with high PET shifted substantially westward by 2003. The annual PET continued to increase in 2006, but the areas with high PET shrank by 2009. In contrast, the annual HI showed varying degrees of localized spatial variability. Over the three periods, the dominantforms of land cover conversions occurred from evergreen cover to seasonal green cover, from seasonal green cover to evergreen cover, and from seasonal green cover to seasonally inundated areas, respectively. These accounted for 48.0%, 38.4%, and 23.8% of the total areas of converted land covers in the three periods, respectively. During the period between 1997 and 2003, the main forms of land cover conversions resulted in both positive and negative growths in the average annual PET, while all of them pushed down the average annual HI. From 2003 to 2006, the reservoir region experienced neither a decrease in the annual PET nor an increase in the annual HI. The period between 2006 and 2009 saw a consistent downward trend in the annual PET and a consistent upward trend in the annual HI.
文摘Propagation of exotic plant species is found in many regions of Madagascar Island. This work aims to describe the impacts of the propagation of Grevillea banksii on soil microbial activities and on the regeneration of two native tree species (Intsia bij'uga and Dalbergia trichocarpa) in the eastern part of Madagascar. The study was conducted within Ianjomara forest where some types of the vegetation are observed such as an area characterized by grassland (P 1), by homogeneous population of G. banksii (P2) and by a natural forest composed mainly of L bijuga or D. trichocarpa (P3 and P4). Structure of mycorrhizal fungi communities and associated microorganisms were described on soils from each study plot. The development of I. b^juga and 1). trichocarpa, was evaluated 4 months after planting on P1, P2, P3, P4 soils formerly colonized by G. banksii. According to the nutrients availability on each soil type, the development of G. banksii was accompanied or not by a high formation of cluster roots. The authors' results also show that soil occupied by G. banksii decreased the global microbial and phosphatase activities of soil especially on soil within a high density of cluster roots. Moderately mycotrophic, G. banksii disturbs the structure and the dynamics of symbiotic microflora such as endomycorrhizal fungi (MA) and rhizobia associated with the two native tree species. The findings illustrate the negative impact of G. banksii propagation on the regeneration and the conservation of native tree species in Madagascarian forest.
文摘Recent studies show an increase in the population of beavers, nutria and other rodents in vast regions of central Europe over the last 15 years. Unfortunately, this caused in many instances considerable damage on large rivers along dykes and earthworks in the floodplain areas, leading to an increased risk of bank failures. However, most of these mammals belong to protected species. This work is aimed at showing positive experience in cooperation with universities, research institutes and environmental agencies regarding measures to permanently safeguard the banks using composite erosion control systems with polymer coated steel wire net (as flexible reinforcement component) and a geosynthetic (to promote vegetation growth). The steel mesh component works as an effective long-term barrier against the intrusion of mammals, discouraging them from digging inside the core of the dyke. An analysis of the sensitive areas to be protected led also to definition of the characteristics of these interventions (length, shape, escape ways, population areas, etc.). The study will present several additional benefits when using polymer steel nets along dykes, such as: high and durable erosion protection in overflow areas, promotion of fast and effective vegetation growth (increasing stability), surface protection against ice impacts (in northern regions), ease of installation, maintenance, ability to conform to irregular shapes of the slope. This work will also present the positive outcome of research studies along dykes in Germany, Austria and in Italy.
文摘At least 1,065 introduced vertebrate species have been introduced in the United States and its territories, including at least 86 mammalian, 127 avian, 179 reptilian/amphibian, and 673 fish species. Examples in each major taxonomic group include domestic cat, small Indian mongoose, red fox, goat, pig, rabbit, rats, house mouse, gray squirrel, nutria, starling, Indian common myna, red-vented bulbul, brown treesnake, red-eared slider, brown trout, tilapia, and grass carp. We briefly review some of these species and the types of damage they cause. We then review the basic types of methods used for control or eradication of each taxonomic group, including physical, chemical, biological, and cultural methods. We discuss some of the challenges in managing these species, including issues with the use of toxicants, land access, public attitudes, and monitoring difficulties. Finally, we list some ongoing research and future research needs, including improved detection methods, improved attractants, improved barriers, improved capture methods, fertility control, and risk assessment methods [Current Zoology 57 (5): 559-567, 2011].
基金National Basic Research Program of China,No.2011CB403303National Key Technology R&D Program,No.2013BAC05B04National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41571276
文摘The Yellow River basin is well known for its high sediment yield. However, this sediment yield has clearly decreased since the 1980 s, especially after the year 2000. The annual average sediment yield was 1.2 billion tons before 2000, but has significantly decreased to 0.3 billion tons over the last 10 years. Changes in discharge and sediment yield for the Yellow River have attracted the attention of both the Central Government and local communities. This study aimed to identify the individual contributions of changes in precipitation and human activities(e.g. water conservancy projects, terracing, silt dams, socio-economic and needs, and soil and water conservation measures) to the decrease in discharge and sediment yield of the Yellow River. The study used both improved the hydrological method and the soil and water conservation method. The study focused on discharge analysis for the upper reaches and the investigation of sediments for the middle reaches of the river. The results showed that discharge and sediment yield have both presented significant decreasing trends over the past 50 years. Precipitation showed an insignificant decreasing trend over the same period. The annual average discharge decreased by 5.68 billion m3 above Lanzhou reach of the Yellow River from 2000 to 2012; human activities(e.g. socio-economic water use) contributed 43.4% of the total reduction, whereas natural factors(e.g. evaporation from lakes, wetlands and reservoirs) accounted for 56.6%. The decrease in annual discharge and sediment yield of the section between Hekouzhen station and Tongguan station were 12.4 billion m3 and 1.24 billion tons, respectively. Human activities contributed 76.5% and 72.2% of the total reduction in discharge and sediment yield, respectively, and were therefore the dominant factors in the changes in discharge and sediment yield of the Yellow River.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41401113,No.41371002,No.41471091The Science and Technology Strategic Pilot of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,No.XDA05090310The Key Project of Physical Geography of Hebei Province
文摘It is important to study the contributions of climate change and human activities to cropland changes in the fields of both climate change and land use change. Relationships between cropland changes and driving forces were qualitatively studied in most of the previous researches. However, the quantitative assessments of the contributions of climate change and human activities to cropland changes are needed to be explored for a better understanding of the dynamics of land use changes. We systematically reviewed the methods of identifying the contributions of climate change and human activities to cropland changes at quantitative aspects, including model analysis, mathematical statistical method, framework analysis, index assessment and difference comparison. Progress of the previous researches on quantitative evaluation of the contributions was introduced. Then we discussed four defects in the assessment of the contributions of climate change and human activities. For example, the methods were lack of comprehensiveness, and the data need to be more accurate and abundant. In addition, the scale was single and the explanations were biased. Moreover, we concluded a clue about quantitative approach to assess the contributions from synthetically aspect to specific driving forces. Finally, the solutions of the future researches on data, scale and explanation were proposed.
基金supported by the Institut Fédératif de Recherches, France (No.101)
文摘Moderate grazing by cattle increases the heterogeneity of soil and vegetation. This has been suggested as an ecologically sustainable mean of managing natural environments endangered by tree encroachment, such as heathlands. Our study was performed to test the impact of grazing intensity on soil macroinvertebrate communities in heterogeneous landscapes in a private property eligible to the Natura 2000 European Network of Special Protection Areas within the Brenne Natural Regional Park (Indre, ~rance). We sampled macroinvertebrates along a broken line crossing 5 different land-use types, from pasture to pine forest, passing through a besom heath (Erica scoparia) heathland at 3 levels of cattle pressure. We hypothesized that: i) litter-dwelling (mostly arthropods and mollusks) and soil-dwelling macroinvertebrates (mostly earthworms) would respond in an opposite manner to various grazing intensities, and ii) intermediate cattle pressure (pastured heath) would increase soil and community heterogeneity. The results supported the first hypothesis, which was explained by land-use impacts mediated by soil properties. However, our results supported only partly the second hypothesis since maximum dissimilarity (whether in the composition of soil macroinvertebrate communities or in soil features) was observed in only one out of the two pastured heaths where cattle pressure was intermediate.