Phenological study of Sargassum thunbergii (Fucales, Phaeophyta) in Lidao Bay, Rongcheng, China

We conducted a phenological evaluation of Sargassum thunbergii, a common algal species, along the coast of Lidao Bay, Rongcheng, China. The local S. thunbergii population entered a maturation period from early June to mid-August, when seawater temperature was 14.4 to 25. 1℃. Our results suggest an increase in temperatttre and day length during this period initiated thalli maturation. Inhabitants of the low tidal zone had higher thalli length and biomass compared with those from the mid- and high tidal zones. We observed a switch in the length frequency distribution and contribution of length classes to biomass between the small （〈20 cm） and long （20-79.9 cm） length classes at the time of thallus maturity. This suggests there is a trade-off between sexual reproduction and vegetative regeneration.

Remote sensing retrieval of total absorption coefficient in the Bohai Sea

Temporal and spatial patterns of inherent optical properties in the Bohai Sea are very complex. In this paper, we used 77 groups of field data of AOPs （apparent optical properties） and IOPs （inherent optical properties） collected in June, August, and September of 2005 in the Bohai Sea, to retrieve the spectral total absorption coefficient a（2） with the quasi-analytical algorithm （QAA）. For QAA implementation, different bands in the region 680-730 nm （in 5 nm intervals） were selected and compared, to determine the optimal band domain of the reference wavelength. On this basis, we proposed a new algorithm （QAA-Com）, a combination of QAA-685 and QAA-715, according to turbidity characterized by a（440）. The percentage difference of model retrievals in the visible domain was between 4.5%-45.1%, in average of 18.8% for a（2）. The QAA model was then applied to Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer （MERIS） radiometric products, which were temporally and spatially matched with in-situ optical measurements. Differences between MERIS retrievals and in-situ values were in the range 9.2%-27.8% for a（2） in the visible domain. Major errors in satellite retrieval are attributable to uncertainties of QAA model parameters and in-situ measurements, as well as imperfect atmospheric correction of MERIS data by the European Space Agency （ESA）. During a storm surge in April 2009, time series of MERIS images together with the QAA model were used to analyze spatial and temporal variability of the total absorption coefficient pattern in the Bohai Sea. It is necessary to collect more independent field data to improve this algorithm.

Simulating Alpine Vegetation Net Primary Productivity by Remote Sensing in Qinghai Province,China

Primary productivity of ecosystem is important indicator about ecological assessment. Remote sensing technology has been used to monitor net primary productivity （NPP） of ecological system for several years. In this paper, the remotely sensed NPP simulation model of alpine vegetation in Qinghai Province of Tibet Plateau was set up based on the theory of light use efficiency. Firstly a new approach based on mixed pixels and Support Vector Machine （SVM） algorithm were used to correct simulated NPP values derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer （MODIS） data. Finally, spatial distribution and monthly variation characteristics of NPP in Qinghai Province detail. The result showed in 2006 were analyzed in that NPP of vegetation in Qinghai Province in 2006 ranged from o to 422 gC/m2/a and the average NPP was 151 gC/m2/a. NPP gradually increased from northwest to southeast. NPP of different vegetation types were obviously different. The average NPP of broad-leaved forest was the largest （314 gC/m2/a）, and sparse shrub was the smallest （101 gC/m2/a）. NPP in Qinghai Province significantly changed with seasonal variation. The accumulation of NPP was primarily in the period （from April to September） with better moist and heat conditions. In July, the average NPP of vegetation reached the maximum value （43 gC/m2）. In our model, the advantage of traditional LUE models was adopted, and our study fully considered typicalcharacteristics of alpine vegetation light use efficiency and environmental factors in the study area. Alpine vegetation is the most important ecological resource of Tibet Plateau, exactly monitoring its NPP value by remote sensing is an effective protection measure.

Influence of dietary n-3 LC-PUFA on growth, nutritional composition and immune function in marine fish Sebastiscus marmoratus

Abstract A 60-day feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids （n-3 LC-PUFA） on growth, nutritional composition and immune function of marine fish Sebastiscus marmoratus. Five diets containing 3.6, 10.2, 18.2, 26.5, or 37.0 g/kg n-3 LC-PUFA were prepared. The results reveal significant influences of dietary n-3 LC-PUFA on the final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and condition factor. As dietary n-3 LC- PUFA increased, weight gain and specific growth rate increased and were significantly higher in groups fed 18.2, 26.5 and 37.0 g/kgthan in groups fed 3.6 and 10.2 g/kg （P〈0.05）; there was no significant difference between groups fed 18.2, 26.5, or 37.0 g/kg （P〉0.05）. With increasing dietary n-3 LC-PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid content in muscle and liver increased significantly, immunoglobulin class M content gradually increased from 9.1 to 14.8 Ixg/L, and lysozyme activity content increased from 1 355 to 2 268 U/mL. Broken line model analysis according to weight gain indicated that a dietary n-3 LC-PUFA level of 18.2 g/kg is essential for normal growth at a fat level of 125 g/kg. Therefore, appropriate dietary n-3 LC-PUFA not only promote growth and improve the n-3 LC-PUFA content, but also enhance immune function in S. marmoratus.