The Sichuan Hill Partridge （Arborophila rufipectus ） requires successional broadleaf forest and their populations have declined as a result of fragmentation of endemic bird areas in subtropical forest in the mountai...The Sichuan Hill Partridge （Arborophila rufipectus ） requires successional broadleaf forest and their populations have declined as a result of fragmentation of endemic bird areas in subtropical forest in the mountains of southwestern China. In this paper, habitat utilization of the Sichuan Hill Partridge was studied in replanted broadleaf forests, in Laojunshan Nature Reserve of Sichuan, to determine the importance of habitat features, during the non-breeding period from November to December 2005. The Sichuan Hill Partridge utilized habitats within elevations of 1 000 to 1 600 m and with a south-facing slope of two to 15 degrees, close to road and forest edges. The birds preferred sites with smaller bamboo density, lower bamboo cover and snow cover and shrub cover was greater at used sites than at random sites. Principal components analysis indicated that food on the ground layer, topographic condition, concealment and temperature were the first four components of bird habitat selection, and the load of the first component was 29.407%. The findings indicated that the Sichuan Hill Partridge might face the well-documented trade-off between food resource and predation risk when utilizing habitat. We suggest that the conservation and restoration of successional broadleaf forest habitats will benefit the Sichuan Hill Partridge.展开更多
Coptotettix acutiangulus Zha sp. nov. from northern Thailand is described and illustrated with photographs. Morphological differences with a similar species C. annandalei are described in detail. C. acutiangulus Zha s...Coptotettix acutiangulus Zha sp. nov. from northern Thailand is described and illustrated with photographs. Morphological differences with a similar species C. annandalei are described in detail. C. acutiangulus Zha sp. nov. may be potentially distributed in Nepal. A brief discussion of the ecology and habitat of C. acutiangulus is given.展开更多
Studying gonadal development of annual cycle can reveal the process of gametogenesis and reproductive period, and evaluate fertility and source utilization of a species. Host sea anemones are conspicuous members of tr...Studying gonadal development of annual cycle can reveal the process of gametogenesis and reproductive period, and evaluate fertility and source utilization of a species. Host sea anemones are conspicuous members of tropical and subtropical reef ecosystems, but little is known about its biology including reproductive seasonality. Here we reported a one-year study on the gametogenesis and reproduction of host sea anemone(Entacmaea quadricolor) inhabiting Hong Kong waters. E. quadricolor tissues were sampled in 12 occasions from 5 m and 15 m depths of water, respectively. Histological sectioning of the tissues showed that E. quadricolor was dioecious, and populational ratio of female to male was 1:1.6. The gonadal development was asynchronous within an annual cycle, which included proliferating, growing, maturing, spawning, and resting stages. The spawning occurred between August and October when surface seawater temperature reached the annual maximum(28℃), suggesting that temperature is an important factor modulating the gonadal development and mature of E. quadricolor.展开更多
Based on Landsat TM images, we explored the pattern of variation of suitable waterbird habitats from 1990 to 2008 in the Dongtan area of Chongming Island at the Changjiang (Yangtze) River mouth. By applying our highly...Based on Landsat TM images, we explored the pattern of variation of suitable waterbird habitats from 1990 to 2008 in the Dongtan area of Chongming Island at the Changjiang (Yangtze) River mouth. By applying our highly accurate indicator model (R=0.999, P<0.01), we quantified the variations of fluctuation intensity for local waterbird habitats during 1990-2008, and for the main waterbird groups (Anatidae, Charadriidae, Ardeidae and Laridae) from 2006 to 2008, to evaluate the impact of habitat quantity change on the waterbird habitat status and the population dynamics of the different waterbird groups. The results show that the aquaculture ponds (AP) and the Scirpus mariqueter zone (SMZ) underwent drastic habitat changes during certain periods (AP: 1997-2000, 2000-2003, 2005-2008; SMZ: 1997-2000), and the fluctuation intensity differed among habitat types in the order AP>SMZ>TSH (total suitable habitat)>BSA (bare mud flat and shallow water area). The abandonment of tracts of aquaculture ponds in Dongtan in mid-2006 brought about an intensive population fluctuation, caused by rapidly changing habitat with the population expanding to adjacent areas. At present, Anatidae and Ardeidae are threatened in the Dongtan area with declining populations because of their very "picky" habitat requirements (i.e., high reliance on AP). The Charadriidae experienced enormous population declines in the late 1990s, however, they have since recovered to normal levels as habitat change has stabilized. Our findings suggest that the current challenges for habitat management are the protection and stabilization of AP and SMZ habitats.展开更多
The Strait of Khuran is among the most important marine habitats in the Persian Gulf. It is the location of the largest Avicennia Marina mangroves along the Persian Gulf shoreline and is a major nursery region for the...The Strait of Khuran is among the most important marine habitats in the Persian Gulf. It is the location of the largest Avicennia Marina mangroves along the Persian Gulf shoreline and is a major nursery region for the fish and to breeding, wintering and migrant water birds. This paper presents dynamics of the currents in the Strait of Khuran using the current data collected by fixed current meters. The analysis of the data showed that the currents in the Strait of Khuran were highly dominated by tidal forcing with mixed semi diurnal behavior. The tidal currents were strong and reached to a maximum velocity of 123 cm/s in the spring tide. Tidal analysis showed that the tidal current constituents （M2, $2, N2, K1, O1） are dominant with M2 component as the major one. The tidal currents occurred basically along the strait. The results show a westward residual flow along the strait with an average of 5.6 cm/s during the study. The direction of the flow indicates that any pollution discharged into the industrial developing eastern part of the strait has the potential to affect the sensitive ecosystem in the western part.展开更多
A pioneer ecological research was carried out to assess the credence of Domat AI-Jandal Lake at AI-JoufProvince in KSA for natural habitats, aquatic lives, agricultural and tourism resorts purposes. The results showed...A pioneer ecological research was carried out to assess the credence of Domat AI-Jandal Lake at AI-JoufProvince in KSA for natural habitats, aquatic lives, agricultural and tourism resorts purposes. The results showed a poor inhabitant of aquatic birds i.e. yellow wagtail （Motacillaflava）; Black-winged Stilt （Himantopus himantopus）; shelduck （Tadorna tadorna）; Squacco heron （Ardeola ralloides）; Moorhen （Gallinula chloropus）; the bolti （Tilapia nilti）. Equally, only four plant species were predominant in the lake area i.e. synonym （Tamarix aucheriana）, a large perennial grass Phragmites australis, Athel pine or tamrisk （Tamarix aphylla） and synonym Zygophyllum simplex. Twelve fishes failed to survive longer than 45 minutes while another 6 fishes survived only in tributary water. Student T-Test biostatics analysis regarding the concentrations of the Total Dissolved Salts （TDS） in designated three parts of the lake showed significantly higher （P〈0.01〈0.0001） than acceptable limits for human usage, aquatic and natural habitat and perhaps for agricultural purposes. Similarly, the pHs of the waters were significantly alkaline （pH 8.9） and Eutrification of the lake waters clearly stand inappropriate for irrigation unless treated. The domestic pollutants were scattered almost all over the beaches as well as within the lake itself denoting unsafe of the lake as neither for natural habitats nor for tourism unless further attention is given by the municipal of Al-Jouf展开更多
The proliferation of urban development with concentration in population and human-environment interaction has intensified around urban environments. This has resulted in the degradation of urban environments, overuse ...The proliferation of urban development with concentration in population and human-environment interaction has intensified around urban environments. This has resulted in the degradation of urban environments, overuse of natural resources and widespread pollution of ecosystems, The patterns of design initiatives continue to follow unsustainable path with impacts on stream ecosystems. Accordingly, the paper adopts geospatial information systems and sustainability principles for the identification and sequential mapping of stressors impeding natural systems in Southern Mississippi. The results not only reveal that the study area experienced some significant changes in its watershed environments, but the stream habitat ecosystem remains under stress. The recommendations for mitigating the problems range from policy considerations to the adoption of ecosystem approach.展开更多
Rocky habitats are regarded as biodiversity hot-spots. Along with high species diversity, diverse ecological relationships can be observed in these habitats. Large groups of bird species use rocks in various ways： as...Rocky habitats are regarded as biodiversity hot-spots. Along with high species diversity, diverse ecological relationships can be observed in these habitats. Large groups of bird species use rocks in various ways： as perching/roosting sites, breeding or foraging habitats, information exchange sites, display arenas or as sources of minerals and water. Because of the inaccessibility of these environments, their role and importance to animals has been underestimated. We evaluated the use of rocky habitats by birds in the Tatra Mountains （49°13′N; 19°57′E, Carpathians, central Europe）. Rocky habitats were used by 29 bird species, eight of which used cliffs directly （i.e. for nesting, foraging or resting）. The number of species recorded as using cliffs was correlated with the surface area of the cliff face. A total of 2o forms of rocky habitat use were recorded, in five behavioural categories： vocalization, foraging, perching, flight and nesting. Prevailing behaviours were flying by a rock face, circling above the face, and vocalization on a tree/shrub growing next to a rock. Rocks provide a nesting habitat for specialized petrophilic species and permit the existence of numerous ecological relations between species and habitats. The results of this study show that rocky habitats support the diversity of ecological relationships.展开更多
文摘The Sichuan Hill Partridge （Arborophila rufipectus ） requires successional broadleaf forest and their populations have declined as a result of fragmentation of endemic bird areas in subtropical forest in the mountains of southwestern China. In this paper, habitat utilization of the Sichuan Hill Partridge was studied in replanted broadleaf forests, in Laojunshan Nature Reserve of Sichuan, to determine the importance of habitat features, during the non-breeding period from November to December 2005. The Sichuan Hill Partridge utilized habitats within elevations of 1 000 to 1 600 m and with a south-facing slope of two to 15 degrees, close to road and forest edges. The birds preferred sites with smaller bamboo density, lower bamboo cover and snow cover and shrub cover was greater at used sites than at random sites. Principal components analysis indicated that food on the ground layer, topographic condition, concealment and temperature were the first four components of bird habitat selection, and the load of the first component was 29.407%. The findings indicated that the Sichuan Hill Partridge might face the well-documented trade-off between food resource and predation risk when utilizing habitat. We suggest that the conservation and restoration of successional broadleaf forest habitats will benefit the Sichuan Hill Partridge.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31460012)the Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Program of Guizhou Province([2012]5008)
文摘Coptotettix acutiangulus Zha sp. nov. from northern Thailand is described and illustrated with photographs. Morphological differences with a similar species C. annandalei are described in detail. C. acutiangulus Zha sp. nov. may be potentially distributed in Nepal. A brief discussion of the ecology and habitat of C. acutiangulus is given.
基金supported by Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong (Project number: ECF 2009/29)
文摘Studying gonadal development of annual cycle can reveal the process of gametogenesis and reproductive period, and evaluate fertility and source utilization of a species. Host sea anemones are conspicuous members of tropical and subtropical reef ecosystems, but little is known about its biology including reproductive seasonality. Here we reported a one-year study on the gametogenesis and reproduction of host sea anemone(Entacmaea quadricolor) inhabiting Hong Kong waters. E. quadricolor tissues were sampled in 12 occasions from 5 m and 15 m depths of water, respectively. Histological sectioning of the tissues showed that E. quadricolor was dioecious, and populational ratio of female to male was 1:1.6. The gonadal development was asynchronous within an annual cycle, which included proliferating, growing, maturing, spawning, and resting stages. The spawning occurred between August and October when surface seawater temperature reached the annual maximum(28℃), suggesting that temperature is an important factor modulating the gonadal development and mature of E. quadricolor.
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (Nos. 2010CB951204, 2008DFB90240)the National Special Research Fund for Non-Profit Sector (Marine) (No. 200805080)
文摘Based on Landsat TM images, we explored the pattern of variation of suitable waterbird habitats from 1990 to 2008 in the Dongtan area of Chongming Island at the Changjiang (Yangtze) River mouth. By applying our highly accurate indicator model (R=0.999, P<0.01), we quantified the variations of fluctuation intensity for local waterbird habitats during 1990-2008, and for the main waterbird groups (Anatidae, Charadriidae, Ardeidae and Laridae) from 2006 to 2008, to evaluate the impact of habitat quantity change on the waterbird habitat status and the population dynamics of the different waterbird groups. The results show that the aquaculture ponds (AP) and the Scirpus mariqueter zone (SMZ) underwent drastic habitat changes during certain periods (AP: 1997-2000, 2000-2003, 2005-2008; SMZ: 1997-2000), and the fluctuation intensity differed among habitat types in the order AP>SMZ>TSH (total suitable habitat)>BSA (bare mud flat and shallow water area). The abandonment of tracts of aquaculture ponds in Dongtan in mid-2006 brought about an intensive population fluctuation, caused by rapidly changing habitat with the population expanding to adjacent areas. At present, Anatidae and Ardeidae are threatened in the Dongtan area with declining populations because of their very "picky" habitat requirements (i.e., high reliance on AP). The Charadriidae experienced enormous population declines in the late 1990s, however, they have since recovered to normal levels as habitat change has stabilized. Our findings suggest that the current challenges for habitat management are the protection and stabilization of AP and SMZ habitats.
文摘The Strait of Khuran is among the most important marine habitats in the Persian Gulf. It is the location of the largest Avicennia Marina mangroves along the Persian Gulf shoreline and is a major nursery region for the fish and to breeding, wintering and migrant water birds. This paper presents dynamics of the currents in the Strait of Khuran using the current data collected by fixed current meters. The analysis of the data showed that the currents in the Strait of Khuran were highly dominated by tidal forcing with mixed semi diurnal behavior. The tidal currents were strong and reached to a maximum velocity of 123 cm/s in the spring tide. Tidal analysis showed that the tidal current constituents （M2, $2, N2, K1, O1） are dominant with M2 component as the major one. The tidal currents occurred basically along the strait. The results show a westward residual flow along the strait with an average of 5.6 cm/s during the study. The direction of the flow indicates that any pollution discharged into the industrial developing eastern part of the strait has the potential to affect the sensitive ecosystem in the western part.
文摘A pioneer ecological research was carried out to assess the credence of Domat AI-Jandal Lake at AI-JoufProvince in KSA for natural habitats, aquatic lives, agricultural and tourism resorts purposes. The results showed a poor inhabitant of aquatic birds i.e. yellow wagtail （Motacillaflava）; Black-winged Stilt （Himantopus himantopus）; shelduck （Tadorna tadorna）; Squacco heron （Ardeola ralloides）; Moorhen （Gallinula chloropus）; the bolti （Tilapia nilti）. Equally, only four plant species were predominant in the lake area i.e. synonym （Tamarix aucheriana）, a large perennial grass Phragmites australis, Athel pine or tamrisk （Tamarix aphylla） and synonym Zygophyllum simplex. Twelve fishes failed to survive longer than 45 minutes while another 6 fishes survived only in tributary water. Student T-Test biostatics analysis regarding the concentrations of the Total Dissolved Salts （TDS） in designated three parts of the lake showed significantly higher （P〈0.01〈0.0001） than acceptable limits for human usage, aquatic and natural habitat and perhaps for agricultural purposes. Similarly, the pHs of the waters were significantly alkaline （pH 8.9） and Eutrification of the lake waters clearly stand inappropriate for irrigation unless treated. The domestic pollutants were scattered almost all over the beaches as well as within the lake itself denoting unsafe of the lake as neither for natural habitats nor for tourism unless further attention is given by the municipal of Al-Jouf
文摘The proliferation of urban development with concentration in population and human-environment interaction has intensified around urban environments. This has resulted in the degradation of urban environments, overuse of natural resources and widespread pollution of ecosystems, The patterns of design initiatives continue to follow unsustainable path with impacts on stream ecosystems. Accordingly, the paper adopts geospatial information systems and sustainability principles for the identification and sequential mapping of stressors impeding natural systems in Southern Mississippi. The results not only reveal that the study area experienced some significant changes in its watershed environments, but the stream habitat ecosystem remains under stress. The recommendations for mitigating the problems range from policy considerations to the adoption of ecosystem approach.
基金financed in part from state funds allocated to science (Project No.N30509732/3259)
文摘Rocky habitats are regarded as biodiversity hot-spots. Along with high species diversity, diverse ecological relationships can be observed in these habitats. Large groups of bird species use rocks in various ways： as perching/roosting sites, breeding or foraging habitats, information exchange sites, display arenas or as sources of minerals and water. Because of the inaccessibility of these environments, their role and importance to animals has been underestimated. We evaluated the use of rocky habitats by birds in the Tatra Mountains （49°13′N; 19°57′E, Carpathians, central Europe）. Rocky habitats were used by 29 bird species, eight of which used cliffs directly （i.e. for nesting, foraging or resting）. The number of species recorded as using cliffs was correlated with the surface area of the cliff face. A total of 2o forms of rocky habitat use were recorded, in five behavioural categories： vocalization, foraging, perching, flight and nesting. Prevailing behaviours were flying by a rock face, circling above the face, and vocalization on a tree/shrub growing next to a rock. Rocks provide a nesting habitat for specialized petrophilic species and permit the existence of numerous ecological relations between species and habitats. The results of this study show that rocky habitats support the diversity of ecological relationships.
