Feeding ecology and interactions with mammal hosts in a symbiotic genus of birds(Buphagus spp.)in Namibia

As the sole obligate symbiotic birds in Africa,oxpeckers offer a unique model for studying symbiotic relationships.Due to the multitrophic level they occupy and the context dependent foraging behavior they exhibit,the type of symbiotic relationship can be variable.In addition to providing a cleaning service to the host by removing ticks,oxpeckers frequently feed on blood,mucus,and saliva,inflicting potential damage on the host.Here,we used DNA metabarcoding on faecal samples to analyze the taxonomic composition of the trophic interactions of the Yellow-billed Oxpecker(Buphagus africanus)and Red-billed Oxpecker(B.erythrorhynchus)in northeastern Namibia.In contrast to conventional methods,DNA metabarcoding allows for a detailed identification of dietary resources encompassing both mammal hosts and consumed arthropods within the same samples.With this information,we examined differences in the diet composition between oxpecker species and localities,as well as the co-occurrence between host and arthropod species.Our findings revealed that oxpeckers predominantly source their diet from mammals,ticks,and flies;however,ticks and flies rarely co-occur in the diet of an individual.We observed variability among individuals in their feeding ecology,which is strongly correlated with locality and,to a lesser extent,with the mammal host.We noted a high degree of mobility between hosts within relatively short periods,with 32%of the samples showing traces of at least two mammal hosts.This study illustrates the dynamic foraging behavior of these specialized symbiotic birds,shedding light on their potential role in pest control services and disease transmission.

A bibliometric analysis using machine learning to track paradigm shifts and analytical advances in forest ecology and forestry journal publications from 2010 to 2022

Forest habitats are critical for biodiversity,ecosystem services,human livelihoods,and well-being.Capacity to conduct theoretical and applied forest ecology research addressing direct(e.g.,deforestation)and indirect(e.g.,climate change)anthropogenic pressures has benefited considerably from new field-and statistical-techniques.We used machine learning and bibliometric structural topic modelling to identify 20 latent topics comprising four principal fields from a corpus of 16,952 forest ecology/forestry articles published in eight ecology and five forestry journals between 2010 and 2022.Articles published per year increased from 820 in 2010 to 2,354 in 2021,shifting toward more applied topics.Publications from China and some countries in North America and Europe dominated,with relatively fewer articles from some countries in West and Central Africa and West Asia,despite globally important forest resources.Most study sites were in some countries in North America,Central Asia,and South America,and Australia.Articles utilizing R statistical software predominated,increasing from 29.5%in 2010 to 71.4%in 2022.The most frequently used packages included lme4,vegan,nlme,MuMIn,ggplot2,car,MASS,mgcv,multcomp and raster.R was more often used in forest ecology than applied forestry articles.R software offers advantages in script and workflow-sharing compared to other statistical packages.Our findings demonstrate that the disciplines of forest ecology/forestry are expanding both in number and scope,aided by more sophisticated statistical tools,to tackle the challenges of redressing forest habitat loss and the socio-economic impacts of deforestation.

Landscape Architecture Planning and Design Based on Landscape Ecology Theory:A Case Study of Waterfront Landscape Planning and Design of Dapo Town

With the rapid development of urbanization,landscape architecture has become an indispensable component of daily life.In order to achieve better landscape effects and protect the ecological environment,landscape ecology theory can be integrated into landscape planning to carry out disciplinary crossing and integration research between landscape ecology and landscape architecture.In this study,based on the basic theories of landscape ecology,the waterfront landscape of Dapo Town was designed,with the aim to achieve ecological balance in planning,showcase biodiversity,and create a harmonious landscape ecological environment which can benefit both nature and people.This design combined artificial and natural elements while improving the natural environment,which promoted a harmonious relationship between humans and nature,thus enriching the spatial organization of the city,and playing a role in regulating the urban environment and climate.

Study on Three-layered Grid Conceptual Prototype Using Ecological Network Computing Environment

Next generation grid systems where the emphasis shifts to distributed global collaboration, a service-oriented approach and information layer issues exhibit a strong sense of automation. Requirements for these systems resemble the self-organizing and the healing properties of natural ecosystems. Some key ecological concepts and mechanisms are introduced into the design for the third generation grid computing architectures by inspiration of this resemblance. Also, an Ecological Network-based Computing Environment (ENCE) platform is designed in this paper. Based on the ENCE platform, a grid-computing model of three-layered grid conceptual prototype that embeds the ENCE layers is presented from the viewpoint of implementation. The implementation model should be useful to the design of the third generation grid systems.

Ecology

What is it?Ecology is the science of how humans,animals and plants live together.For example,in the city you can find birds,rats,insects and plants that all live in the same space.Many of them eat things that people don’t want any more.If you go to a forest,you can see different kinds of plants,insects,small animals like rabbits and birds living there;they all eat different things in the forest,and some eat each other!

Discussion on Influencing Factors of Water Resources Environment and Strategies for Protecting Water Ecology

At present,the major problems facing the water resource environment worldwide include water pollution,water resource shortage,and water ecosystem degradation.The discharge of industrial wastewater,agricultural non-point source pollution,and the discharge of urban sewage lead to a serious decline in water quality,which directly affects the safety of human drinking water and the living environment of aquatic organisms.Additionally,the unbalanced distribution and excessive exploitation of water resources lead to the problem of water shortage in many areas,which then leads to social and economic contradictions and ecological crises.In terms of ecosystems,the phenomena of water ecological degradation and reduction of biodiversity are increasingly obvious,and the carrying capacity of aquatic ecosystems are gradually declining.This paper aims to analyze the natural,social,and economic factors affecting the water resource environment,and propose effective strategies to protect the water ecology.To provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the sustainable utilization of water resources and the long-term development of the water ecosystem.

Direct-chill semi-continuous casting process of three-layer composite ingot of 4045/3004/4045 aluminum alloys

Three-layer composite ingot of 4045/3004/4045 aluminum alloys was prepared by direct-chill semi-continuous casting process,the temperature field distribution near the composite interface,macro-morphology,microstructure and composition distribution of the composite interface were investigated.The results show that semi-solid layer with a certain thickness forms near the interface due to the effect of cooling plate,which ensures successful implementation of casting the composite ingot.Two different aluminum alloys are well bonded metallurgically.The mechanical properties of composite interface were measured,the tensile and shearing strengths of composite interface are 105 and 88 MPa,respectively,which proves that the composite interface is a kind of metallurgical bonding.

通过《Landscape Ecology》杂志看国际景观生态学研究动向

《LandscapeEcology》是刊载景观生态学文章的重要期刊。本文以该期刊为研究对象 ,总结自 1987年创刊以来所刊载的 5 72篇文章的关键词所体现出的景观生态学的学科体系 (理论 -原理、研究方法、实际应用 )、研究内容 (景观格局、景观过程、景观变化 )和研究对象 (景观类型、景观要素 )的发展历程 ,并对这些关键词进行时段归类和统计分析 ,提炼出各时段的研究热点并分析未来景观生态学热点发展方向。

Application of N: P Stoichiometry to Ecology Studies

Stoichiometry has long been addressed in the studies of ecosystem ecology, but it was almost ignored for a long time. Until recently, ecologists have become aware that stoichiometry could provide a new tool to study ecology from genes to the biosphere. Among this trend, N:P stoichiometry is used actively in ecological interactions since nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the two most important elements in most ecosystems. This article reviews the application of N:P stoichiometry to the studies of ecological problems at different levels, including ecosystem, community and species. Meanwhile, we also provide the cellular basis of N:P stoichiometry, identify the shortages in the use of N:P stoichiometry theory, and put forward some perspectives for future research to be conducted.

Molecular Ecology of Lower Subtropical Species, Schima superba and Castanopsis chinensis in Three Succession Series Communities

Amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP)was used to analyze 2 populations: Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. and Castanopsis chinensis Hance. across three different communities representing three succession stages, in Dinghu Mountain, China. These two were middle succession species in the lower subtropical broad_leaved forest. Four AFLP primer combinations using total 48 individuals of S. superba provided 24, 40, 27 and 27 reliable bands, of which 15, 23, 23 and 16 were polymorphic, respectively. Similarly, total 48 individuals of C. chinensis provided 27, 20, 33 and 39 reliable bands, of which 12, 5, 15 and 13 were polymorphic respectively. These bands were used as presence/absence data to assess the levels of genetic variation and population structure of those species. From average heterozygosity, S. superba possessed higher molecular variation than C. chinensis . Analysis of molecular variance(AMOVA)indicated that most of the genetic variation of S. superba was due to the differences within population(95.99%, P <0.001), with 4.01% ( P <0.001)genetic variation among population. Similarly, AMOVA indicated the most of the genetic variation of C. chinensis was due to the differences within population(75.36%, P <0.001), with 24.64%( P <0.001)genetic variation among communities(24.64%). DCA(Detrended Correspondence Analysis) analysis showed that the individuals of S. superba from the same community did not cluster together, while the individuals of C. chinensis from the same community roughly cluster together. The above results reflected the biological characteristics of the two different species suggesting the significant effect of microenvironment of different community on population differentiation and its relationship of which to forest succession resulted in genetic divergence.

Study on The Ecology System of Hani Terraced Paddy Fields

The ecology system of Hani Terraced Paddy Fields is the typical repre-sentative of the ecological agriculture in the southwestern mountainous areas of our country. After long-term development, Hani ecology system has developed, cored by＂forest-vil age-terrace-river＂, including paddy cultivation system, forests and ecologi-cal maintenance, folk culture and construction of water facilities. This research ex-plored the details of the structure and functions of the ecology system of Hani ter-raced fields. And il ustrates that the system is a new model of agriculture ecological civilization and deserves further study and more applications.

Leaf epidermal characters of Lonicera japonica and Lonicera confuse and their ecology adaptation

The leaf epidermis of Japanese honeysuckle （Lonicera japonica Thunb.） and Wild Honeysuckle （Lonicera confusa） in the genus of Flos Lonicerae were mainly observed by scanning electron microscopes （SEM） to study the characteristics of stomata, trichomes and dermal cell, etc.. The results showed that stoma exists only on the lower epidermis and its distribution is irregular, and leaf epidermis consist of epidermis cells, stoma complexes and bushy trichomes including glandular hair and non-glandular hair. On the upper epidermis, anticlinal wall caves in sinuous groove to countercheck the transpiration. Evidences from leaf morphological structures serve as another proof on drought-resistant mechanisms. Some strumaes distributing regularly are hypothesized as oxalic calcium on the lower epidermis under laser scanning confocal microscopy （LSCM） with Fluo-3/AM, which can increase their endurance to drought stress. Therefore, the above characteristics of Flos Lonicerae can reduce the loss of water and make Japanese honeysuckle and Wild Honeysuckle adapt to the droughty environment at Karst area in southwest China. However, there is some difference of the two species. From the SEM （Scanning Electron Microscopy） result, it is shown that on the upper epidermis, some glandular hair regularly present along the midrib of Japanese honeysuckle, but Wild Honeysuckle has no glandular hair on the upper epidermis, which can verify the relationships of Flos Lonicerae species and provide the significance for classification of Flos Lonicerae.

Improving electrochemical performances of LiFePO_4 /C cathode material via a novel three-layer electrode

As an improvement on the conventional two-layer electrode （active material layerlcurrent collector）, a novel sandwich-like three-layer electrode （conductive layerlactive material layertcurrent collector） for cathode material LiFePO4/C was introduced in order to improve its electrochemical performance. LiFePO4/C in the three-layer electrode exhibited superior rate capability in comparison with that in the two-layer electrode in accordance with charge-discharge examination. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated that Fe3＋/Fe2＋ redox couple for LiFePO4 in the three-layer electrode displayed faster kinetics, better reversibility and much lower charge transfer resistance than that in the two-layer electrode in electrochemical process. For three-layer electrode, the holes in the surface of active material layer were filled by smaller acetylene black grains, which formed electrical connections and provided more pathways to electron transport to/from LiFePO4/C particles exposed to the bulk electrolyte.

Riverine Ecology Restoration through Ecological Engineering and Naturalization

[Objective] The aim was to improve and restore destroyed riverine and water ecosystem and to prevent bio-diversity from deteriorating in Jari demonstration plot in Ethiopia. [Method] Biological engineering and naturalization were made use of to protect nature and restore wetland as per Succession Theory. [Result] Both of eco- environment and eco-functions of Mille River were restored through reconstruction of biocenosis in wetlands. [Conclusion] It is feasible to implement matched ecological projects in semiarid regions in East Africa, providing references for restoration and protection of local water resources.

Review of forest ecology studies in China

As the most important type or component in the terrestrial ecosystems, forest ecosystem makes its role obviously prominent and important on environment and human being. It possesses non-substitutable functions in the process of sustainable development. However, due to the complexity of the forest ecosystem and the relatively delay or lack of the related research technology, the science is still in the case of immature and questions. This paper summarized and reviewed briefly the development and the present case of the forest ecology, then pointed out the existing problems in the forest ecosystem researches. In the end, we discussed several fields that need to pay more attention to in future researches.

Research on Landscape Ecology Mode of New Resources-based Cities—A Case Study of Yulin City of Shaanxi Province in China

Based on the overall understanding of new cities developing based on resources,by taking Yulin City of Shaanxi Province for example and combining with relevant statistical data,main problems existing in resources development have been pointed out,covering simple resources industrial structure and serious wastes in resources development;insufficient intensive processing of products and low level of resources integrated utilization;and deteriorative regional eco-environment.On this basis,a new mode of landscape ecology of resource-based cities have been proposed,emphasizing constructing new green energy industrial development mode from the perspective of microscopic view;ecological industrial park of circular economy from the perspective of mesoscopic view;and the overall ecological recovery mode of the mining area from the perspective of macroscopic view.It hopes to give a vital inspiration to the sustainable development of new resources-based cities.

Design of Pastoral Cultural Landscape Oriented by the Concept of Ecology Villages

China is increasingly attaching importance to coordination and scientific development between humanist and economic constructions, especially for protection on rural pastoral cultural landscape. For eco-village theory, planning and construction of pastoral culture landscape is just a breakthrough. The research used modern landscaping technology and analyzed pastoral landscape culture, facilitating transformation of agricultural production pattern and ushering in a new trend in terms of retaining rural cultural landscapes with Chinese characteristics and inheriting and innovating rural culture.

外国教材及其辅助教学资源案例浅析——以Molles所著Ecology:Concepts and Applications为例

Manuel C.Molles Jr.所著的Ecology:Concepts and Applications(《生态学:概念与应用》)在教材与网络资源的建设方面进行了有益的尝试,其主教材及辅助教学资源的设计理念值得借鉴。主教材从1999年到2008年出版了4版,主教材内容及版本更新快,力求及时反映学科前沿水平的新技术、新知识;正文内容和版式编排设计以读者为本,注重为学生服务;网上辅助教学资源围绕主教材的系列产品进行整体设计,体现利教利学的建设理念,既为教师教学提供帮助和指导,也重视给予学生自我发挥的空间,网站展示条理清晰,内容布局规范,内容介绍注重以读者为中心,满足不同客户的需求。

媒介生态学还是媒介环境学?关于Media ecology的汉译问题

关于"media ecology"的汉译问题,学界存有争议,或将之翻译成"媒介生态学",或翻译成"媒介环境学",概念的不清晰引发了学术研究的混乱。东西方的"media ecology"虽都秉持了生态学的基本思维方式,但在研究取向上,是有明显的区别。北美的"media ecology"将媒介作为环境来研究,以探讨媒介及由媒介所建构而来的符号环境如何限制人类感受和思考这个世界的方式,并由此影响到人类行为为主要研究内容。而媒介生态学属于中国的原创概念,是指以媒介为中心展开,研究媒介与其生存发展环境问题的学说。两种理论在理论来源、研究方法和学术关怀上都有明显的不同。因此,应将北美的"media ecology"汉译成"媒介环境学",中国的原创理论命名为"媒介生态学",以廓清其学科差异,避免理论的混淆。

Wintering ecology of the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) in Beijing

The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is a new winter resident in Beijing due to temperature changes.To understand the wintering ecology of this species better, a field survey covering the number of birds of this population, habitat selection, feeding activity and grouping behavior was conducted at the Shidu Nature Reserve from January 2004 to March 2009. The results show that the Black Stork selected the Juma River at this nature reserve as their new winter habitat. The number of birds in this population decreased from 28 in the 2004/2005 winter to 17 in the 2007/2008 winter with a subsequent recovery to 23 the following year. The wintering flock was formed in mid-November and dispersed in mid-March, but the date changed with seasonal temperature fluctuations. The storks exhibited feeding habitat fidelity and the main food type was fish (＞ 92.4%). There was no significant variation in food composition between adults and sub-adults (Mann-Whitney U test, U = 1.00, p = 0.44). Feeding activity occurred in the morning and at noon during early winter, but concentrated in the afternoon during mid winter, divided into dawn and dusk in late winter. Daily fish intake was 538 g for adults and 449 g for sub-adults if the period of foraging reached six hours in the wild, which was similar to the level under artificial feeding. Agonistic behavior among feeding birds was observed among group members in late winter. The main negative factor for wintering Black Stork was a reduced feeding habitat resulting from increased water depth due to damming of the river to benefit tourism and to wetland exploitation.