Allometric models are necessary for estimating biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. Generalized allometric relationship exists for many tropical trees, but species- and region-specific models are often lacking. We devel...Allometric models are necessary for estimating biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. Generalized allometric relationship exists for many tropical trees, but species- and region-specific models are often lacking. We developed species-specific allometric models to predict aboveground biomass for 11 native tree species of the Sudanian savanna- woodlands. Diameters at the base and at breast height, with species means ranging respectively from 11 to 28 cm and 9 to 19 cm, and the height of the trees were used as predictor variables. Sampled trees spanned a wide range of sizes including the largest sizes these species can reach. As a response variable, the biomass of the trees was obtained through destructive sampling of 4 754 trees during wood harvesting. We used a stepwise multiple regression analysis with backward elimination procedure to develop models separately predicting, total biomass of the trees, stem biomass, and biomass of branches and twigs. All species- specific regression models relating biomass with measured tree dimen- sions were highly significant （p 〈 0.001）. The biomass of branches and twigs was less predictable compared to stem biomass and total biomass, although their models required fewer predictors and predictor interac- tions. The best-fit equations for total above-ground biomass and stem biomass bad R2 〉 0.70, except for the Acacia species; for branches including twig biomass, R2-values varied from 0.749 for Anogeissus leiocarpa to 0.183 for Acacia macrostachya. The use of these equations in estimating available biomass will avoid destructive sampling, and aid in planning for sustainable use of these species.展开更多
In order to investigate the suprathermal electron flux(>30 ke V) around dipolarization fronts(DFs), we statistically studied the suprathermal electron flux variations and pitch angle distributions of hundreds of ea...In order to investigate the suprathermal electron flux(>30 ke V) around dipolarization fronts(DFs), we statistically studied the suprathermal electron flux variations and pitch angle distributions of hundreds of earthward propagating DFs observed by THEMIS spacecraft during its tail seasons in years 2008–2009. We focused on the electron flux variations across DFs and electron anisotropies behind DFs. We divided DF into three sectors in the equatorial plane: Dusk, central and dawn sectors. The sectors are defined according to the DF normals with respect to DF's meridian in the equatorial plane(the symmetric line of DF). We found that events with electron flux increases and decreases behind the fronts had no particular dependence on the observation locations. In addition, there was no obvious dependence of electron anisotropy behind DF on the different sectors of DF.展开更多
QuickChange mutagenesis is the method of choice for site-directed mutagenesis （SDM） of target sequences in a plasmid. It can be applied successfully to small plasmids （up to 10 kb）. However, this method cannot eff...QuickChange mutagenesis is the method of choice for site-directed mutagenesis （SDM） of target sequences in a plasmid. It can be applied successfully to small plasmids （up to 10 kb）. However, this method cannot efficiently mutate bigger plasmids. Using KOD Hot Start polymerase in combination with high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） purified primers, we were able to achieve SDM in big plasmids （up to 16 kb） involving not only a single base change but also multiple base changes. Moreover, only six polymerase chain reaction （PCR） cycles and 0.5μI of polymerase （instead of 18 PCR cycles and 1.0 μI of enzyme in the standard protocol） were sufficient for the reaction.展开更多
Noise, an obvious effect of urbanization, has a negative impact on animal vocalizations and the hunting efficiency of acoustic predators. However, the influence of noise pollution on the spatial distribution of popula...Noise, an obvious effect of urbanization, has a negative impact on animal vocalizations and the hunting efficiency of acoustic predators. However, the influence of noise pollution on the spatial distribution of populations remains understudied. The aim was to assess the factors shaping the distribution pattern of an acoustic predator （long-eared owl Asio otus） in an urban-farmland matrix. We hypothesized that the probability of an acoustic predator occurring decreases with growing nocturnal noise emission. This owl survey was conducted in Krak6w （S Poland） on 79 ran- domly selected sample plots （1 km x 1 km）. Six habitat variables （area of parks, woodlands, grass- land, arable land, habitat diversity index, and noise pollution） were identified and correlated with the probability of the species＇ occurrence. Proximity to pedestrian routes and roads, habitat frag- mentation, and noise intensity was also defined at nest sites and random sites. Long-eared owls occurred on 37% of the sample plots. Occupied plots had a greater area of grassland and arable land as well as a lower level of noise pollution than the unoccupied ones. A multivariate model revealed that area of grassland and nocturnal noise emission was significantly correlated with the probability of long-eared owls occurring and that the high probability of occurrence recorded on plots with large areas of grassland was reduced by noise pollution. The noise intensity recorded at nest sites was also significantly lower than at random sites. This study suggests that apart from habitat factors, the distribution of acoustic predators in an urban matrix is driven by noise pollu- tion. This highlights the importance of proper landscape management, that is, maintaining large grassland areas and preventing noise from increasing within them.展开更多
基金provided by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
文摘Allometric models are necessary for estimating biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. Generalized allometric relationship exists for many tropical trees, but species- and region-specific models are often lacking. We developed species-specific allometric models to predict aboveground biomass for 11 native tree species of the Sudanian savanna- woodlands. Diameters at the base and at breast height, with species means ranging respectively from 11 to 28 cm and 9 to 19 cm, and the height of the trees were used as predictor variables. Sampled trees spanned a wide range of sizes including the largest sizes these species can reach. As a response variable, the biomass of the trees was obtained through destructive sampling of 4 754 trees during wood harvesting. We used a stepwise multiple regression analysis with backward elimination procedure to develop models separately predicting, total biomass of the trees, stem biomass, and biomass of branches and twigs. All species- specific regression models relating biomass with measured tree dimen- sions were highly significant （p 〈 0.001）. The biomass of branches and twigs was less predictable compared to stem biomass and total biomass, although their models required fewer predictors and predictor interac- tions. The best-fit equations for total above-ground biomass and stem biomass bad R2 〉 0.70, except for the Acacia species; for branches including twig biomass, R2-values varied from 0.749 for Anogeissus leiocarpa to 0.183 for Acacia macrostachya. The use of these equations in estimating available biomass will avoid destructive sampling, and aid in planning for sustainable use of these species.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Grant Nos.41174147,41274170 and 41331070)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(Grant No.20142BCB23006)
文摘In order to investigate the suprathermal electron flux(>30 ke V) around dipolarization fronts(DFs), we statistically studied the suprathermal electron flux variations and pitch angle distributions of hundreds of earthward propagating DFs observed by THEMIS spacecraft during its tail seasons in years 2008–2009. We focused on the electron flux variations across DFs and electron anisotropies behind DFs. We divided DF into three sectors in the equatorial plane: Dusk, central and dawn sectors. The sectors are defined according to the DF normals with respect to DF's meridian in the equatorial plane(the symmetric line of DF). We found that events with electron flux increases and decreases behind the fronts had no particular dependence on the observation locations. In addition, there was no obvious dependence of electron anisotropy behind DF on the different sectors of DF.
文摘QuickChange mutagenesis is the method of choice for site-directed mutagenesis （SDM） of target sequences in a plasmid. It can be applied successfully to small plasmids （up to 10 kb）. However, this method cannot efficiently mutate bigger plasmids. Using KOD Hot Start polymerase in combination with high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） purified primers, we were able to achieve SDM in big plasmids （up to 16 kb） involving not only a single base change but also multiple base changes. Moreover, only six polymerase chain reaction （PCR） cycles and 0.5μI of polymerase （instead of 18 PCR cycles and 1.0 μI of enzyme in the standard protocol） were sufficient for the reaction.
文摘Noise, an obvious effect of urbanization, has a negative impact on animal vocalizations and the hunting efficiency of acoustic predators. However, the influence of noise pollution on the spatial distribution of populations remains understudied. The aim was to assess the factors shaping the distribution pattern of an acoustic predator （long-eared owl Asio otus） in an urban-farmland matrix. We hypothesized that the probability of an acoustic predator occurring decreases with growing nocturnal noise emission. This owl survey was conducted in Krak6w （S Poland） on 79 ran- domly selected sample plots （1 km x 1 km）. Six habitat variables （area of parks, woodlands, grass- land, arable land, habitat diversity index, and noise pollution） were identified and correlated with the probability of the species＇ occurrence. Proximity to pedestrian routes and roads, habitat frag- mentation, and noise intensity was also defined at nest sites and random sites. Long-eared owls occurred on 37% of the sample plots. Occupied plots had a greater area of grassland and arable land as well as a lower level of noise pollution than the unoccupied ones. A multivariate model revealed that area of grassland and nocturnal noise emission was significantly correlated with the probability of long-eared owls occurring and that the high probability of occurrence recorded on plots with large areas of grassland was reduced by noise pollution. The noise intensity recorded at nest sites was also significantly lower than at random sites. This study suggests that apart from habitat factors, the distribution of acoustic predators in an urban matrix is driven by noise pollu- tion. This highlights the importance of proper landscape management, that is, maintaining large grassland areas and preventing noise from increasing within them.
