Seasonal dynamics of wintering waterbirds in two shallow lakes along Yangtze River in Anhui Province

The shallow lake wetlands in the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain are important wintering and stopover habitats for migratory waterbirds on the East Asia-Australia Flyway.With increasing fishery practices in recent years,however,the wetlands have deteriorated significantly and now threaten wintering waterbirds.To gain insight into the influence of deteriorating wetlands on waterbirds,we conducted a survey of wintering waterbird species,population size,and distribution across 11 belt transects in Caizi Lake and Shengjin Lake,two shallow lakes along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province from November 2007-April 2008 and from November 2008-April 2009,respectively.The impacts of different fishery patterns on the distribution of waterbirds were also analyzed.A total of 43 waterbirds species belong to 7 orders of 12 families were counted during the surveys,of which 38 were found in Caizi Lake with a density of 8.2 ind./hm2,and 42 in Shengjin Lake with a density of 3.5 ind./hm2.Geese（Anser cygnoides）,bean geese（Anser fabalis）,tundra swan（Cygnus columbianus）,and dunlin（Calidris alpina） were the dominant species in the two shallow lakes.Species number and individual assemble reached maximum at the end of December and in early January of the following year,without coincidence of the largest flock for different ecological groups.Based on waterbird diversity across the 11 belt transects and the fishery patterns,habitats could be divided into three groups.Gruiformes,Anseriformes and Charadriiformes had relatively higher densities in the natural fishery zones and lower densities in the cage fishery zones;whereas,the density of Ardeidae showed little change across all lake zones.It is important to develop sustainable fishery patterns in shallow lakes along the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain to better protect resources of wintering waterbirds.

Seasonal Dynamics of Biomass under Different Land Use Patterns

[Objective] The aim was to study seasonal dynamics of biomass under different land use patterns. [Methed] Aboveground biomass and underground biomass of plants under 3 different surface cover conditions of Stipa krylovii, Leymus chinensis and farmland were determined in growing season （ from May to October） of 2008. [ Result ] The aboveground biomass of Stipa krylovii, Leymus chinensis and farmland in August all reached the highest value, which of Stipa krylovii, Leymus chinensis and farmland was 287.91,117.05 and 193.59 g/m2, respectively. The total biomass of plant roots of the 3 plots in July all reached the highest value, which of Stipa krylovii, Leymus chinensis and farmland was 1 683.9, 1 601.9 and 513.9 g/m2, respectively. Leymus chinensis had the biggest biomass ratio of upper plant roots （0 - 15 cm） to lower plant roots （15 -30 cm）, Stipa krylovii took second place, and farmland had the smallest one. ~ Conclusion The research provides theoretical basis for the ecological environment protection of ecological fragile area.

Density and Seasonal Dynamics of Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius) Mediterranean on Common Crops and Weeds Around Cotton Fields in Northern China

The density seasonal dynamics of Bemisia tabaci MED were evaluated over two years in a cotton-growing area in Langfang, Hebei Province, northern China on cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.） and six other co-occurring common plants, common ragweed （Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.）, piemarker （Abutilon theophrasti Medicus）, sunflower （Helianthus annuus L.）, sweet potato （Ipomoea batatas L.）, soybean （Glycine max L.）, and maize （Zea mays L.）. The whitefly species identity was repeatedly tested and confirmed; seasonal dynamics on the various host plants were standardized by the quartile method. B. tabaci MED appeared on weeds （the common ragweed and piemarker） about 10 days earlier than on cotton, or the other cultivated plants. The peak population densities were observed over a span of 2 to 3 weeks on cotton, starting in early （2010） or mid-August （2011）. The common ragweed growing adjacent to cotton supported the highest B. tabaci densities （no. on 100 cm2 leaf surface）, 12-22 fold higher than on cotton itself. Sunflower supported more B. tabaci than the other plants, and about 1.5-2 fold higher than cotton did, Our results indicate that weeds （esp. the common ragweed） around cotton fields could increase the population density of B. tabaci MED on cotton, while sunflower could act as a trap crop for decreasing pest pressure on cotton.

Seasonal dynamics of crustacean zooplankton community structure in Erhai Lake, a plateau lake, with reference to phytoplankton and environmental factors

The seasonal dynamics of a crustacean zooplankton community in Erhai Lake was investigated from May 2010 to April 2011. In total, 11 species were recorded, including six(6 genera) cladoceran and five(5 genera) copepod species. The crustacean zooplankton densities ranged from 24.3 to 155.4 ind./L. In winter and spring, the large-bodied cladoceran Daphnia galeata dominated the crustacean plankton community. In summer and autumn, when the colonial or filamentous algae dominated the phytoplankton communities, the small-bodied species(e.g. B osmina fatalis, Ceriodaphnia quadrangular, and Mesocyclops leuckarti) replaced the large-bodied ones. One-way ANOVA and redundancy analysis revealed that community structure was dependent upon total nitrogen, total phosphorus, water temperature, transparency, and the biomass of small algae. The variation in both phytoplankton structure and environmental variables were important factors in the seasonal succession of crustacean zooplankton structure in Erhai Lake.

Profile distribution and seasonal dynamics of water-extractable carbohydrate in soils under mixed broad-leaved Korean pine forest on Changbai Mountain

Carbohydrate represents an important part of the soil labile organic carbon pool. Water soluble carbohydrate drives the C cycle in forest soil by affecting microbial activity and hot water extractable car- bohydrate is thought related to soil carbon sequestration due to the asso- ciation with soil aggregation. In a temperate forest region of northeast China, Changbai Mountain, we investigated the abundance, spatial dis- tribution, and seasonal dynamics of cool and hot-water extractable car- bohydrate in soils under mixed broad-leaved Korean pine forest. The concentrations of cool-water extractable carbohydrate （CWECH） in three soil layers （0-5, 5-10, 10-20 cm） ranged from 4.1 to 193.3 g.kg-1 dry soil, decreasing rapidly with soil depth. On an annual average, the CWECH concentrations in soils at depths of 5-10 and 10-20 cm were 54.2% and 24.0%, respectively, of that in the 0-5 cm soil layer. CWECH showed distinct seasonal dynamics with the highest concentrations in early spring, lowest in summer, and increasing concentrations in autumn. Hot-water extractable carbohydrate （HWECH） concentrations in three soil layers ranged from 121.4 to 2026.2 g.kgq dry soil, which were about one order of magnitude higher than CWECH. The abundance of HWECH was even more profile-dependent than CWECH, and decreased more rapidly with soil depth. On an annual average, the HWECH concentration in soils 10-20 cm deep was about one order of magnitude lower than that in the top 0-5 cm soil. The seasonality of HWECH roughly tracked that of CWECH but with seasonal fluctuations of smaller amplitude. The car- bohydrate concentrations in cool/hot water extracts of soil were positively correlated with UV254 and UV2s0 of the same solution, which has implications for predicting the leaching loss of water soluble organic carbon.

Concentrations and seasonal dynamics of dissolved organic carbon in forest floors of two plantations （Castanopsis kawakamii and Cunninghamia lanceolata） in subtropical China

The concentrations and seasonal dynamics of DOC in forest floors of monoculture plantations of Castanopsis kawakamii and Chinese fir （Cunninghamia lanceolata） were assessed in Sanming, Fujian, China （26°11′30″N, 117°26′00″E）. Forest floor samples were taken in January, April, July and October in 2002 and divided into undecomposed material （horizon Oi）, partially decomposed organic material （horizon Oe）, and fully decomposed organic material （horizon Oa）. Upon collection. DOC concentrations of samples were analyzed by a High Temperature TOC. The results showed that the annual average DOC concentration of Chinese fir （1341.7 mg·kg^-1） in the forest floor was higher than that of Castanopsis kawakamii （ 1178.9 mg·kg^-1）. Difference in DOC concentrations was observed among three horizons of the forest floor. DOC concentration of forest floor in the two forests was the highest in horizon Oe. Seasonal trends of DOC concentrations in different horizons of forest floors were similar and the maximal value occurred in autumn （or winter）. The concentration and temporal change of DOC in studied forests were probably related to the variation in moisture, temperature, biological activity and quantity of organic matter in the forest floor.

A Correction Method Suitable for Dynamical Seasonal Prediction

Based on the hindcast results of summer rainfall anomalies over China for the period 1981-2000 by the Dynamical Climate Prediction System （IAP-DCP） developed by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, a correction method that can account for the dependence of model＇s systematic biases on SST anomalies is proposed. It is shown that this correction method can improve the hindcast skill of the IAP-DCP for summer rainfall anomalies over China, especially in western China and southeast China, which may imply its potential application to real-time seasonal prediction.

Vertical Distribution and Seasonal Dynamics of Fine Root Parameters for Apple Trees of Different Ages on the Loess Plateau of China

The vertical distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of fine root parameters for the apple trees of different ages （3, 10, 15, and 20 years old） on the Loess Plateau of China were studied. Soil coring method was used to determine the vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics of fine roots at different root radial distances （1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m from the main tree trunk）. The fine root biomass density （FRD）, fine root length density （RLD）, and specific root length （SRL）, as well as soil water content and soil temperature were also measured. The FRD and RLD for the 10, 15, and 20 years old trees reached peak values in the 20-30 cm soil layer. For the 3 years old tree, the highest FRD and RLD were observed in the 10-20 cm soil layer. The FRD and RLD decreased with increased soil depth from the 10-20 or 20-30 cm soil layer for all age apple trees. The SRL declined with the increase of tree age. The FRD at the 1.0 m radial distance from the main tree trunk was higher than that at other radial distances in the 3 and 10 years old orchard. However, in the 15 and 20 years old orchards, especially the 20 years old orchard, the FRD at the 2.0 m radial distance was nearly equal to or higher than that at the 1.0 and 1.5 m radial distances. For all the root radiuses or the tree ages, the FRD, RLD, and SRL were the highest in spring and the lowest in autumn. The age of an apple tree does not affect the vertical distribution pattern but the biomass of fine roots and the SRL. Radial distance affects the root horizontal distribution of 3 and 10 years old trees but the 15 and 20 years old trees. Additionally, effects of soil temperature and soil moisture on fine root distribution or seasonal dynamics are not significant.

Protist Interactions and Seasonal Dynamics in the Coast of Yantai, Northern Yellow Sea of China as Revealed by Metabarcoding

Facilitated by the high-throughput sequencing(HTS)technique,the importance of protists to aquatic systems has been widely acknowledged in the last decade.However,information of protistan biotic interactions and seasonal dynamics is much less known in the coast ecosystem with intensive anthropic disturbance.In this study,year-round changes of protist community composition and diversity in the coastal water of Yantai,a city along the northern Yellow Sea in China,were investigated using HTS for the V4 region of 18S rDNA.The interactions among protist groups were also analyzed using the co-occurrence network.Data analyses showed that Alveolata,Chlorophyta,and Stramenopiles are the most dominant phytoplanktonic protists in the investigated coastal area.The community composition displayed strong seasonal variation.The abundant families Dino-Group-I-Clade-1 and Ulotrichales_X had higher proportions in spring and summer,while Bathycoccaceae exhibited higher ratios in autumn and winter.Alpha diversities(Shannon and Simpson)were the highest in autumn and the lowest in spring(ANOVA test,P<0.05).Nutrients(SiO42−,PO43−),total organic carbon(TOC),and pH seemed to drive the variation of alpha diversity,while temperature,PO43−and TON were the most significant factors influencing the whole protist community.Co-variance network analyses reveal frequent co-occurrence events among ciliates,chlorophytes and dinoflagellate,suggesting biotic interactions have been induced by predation,parasitism and mixotrophy.

Studies of community structure and seasonal dynamics of planktonic copepods in saline-alkaline ponds

Species abundance and seasonal succession of copepods in saline-alkaline ponds were studied in Zhaodian Fish Farm, Gaoqing County, Shandong Province, from 5 April 1997 to 1 September 1998. The results indicated that in the conditions of salinity ranging from 1.36 to 20 g/L, total alkalinity changing from 2.4 to 7.2 mmol/L and pH 8–9, zooplankton in saline-alkaline ponds was composed of freshwater salt-tolerated species or halophile species, some of which are halobiont species and usually occurs in freshwater. In our study, copepods were predominant in many fish-culture ponds and all control ponds without fishes in spring, late autumn and early winter. Dominant species of copepods were Sinocalanus tenellus, Cyclops vicinus, Thermocyclops taiho- kuensis. The biomass of copepods in the control ponds without fishes was higher than that of the fish-culture ponds.

Seasonal dynamics of meiofaunal distribution in the Dagu River Estuary, Jiaozhou Bay, China

Sediment samples were collected in the intertidal zone of the Dagu River Estuary, Jiaozhou Bay, China in April,July and October 2010 and February 2011 for examining seasonal dynamics of meiofaunal distribution and their relationship with environmental variables. A total of ten meiofaunal taxa were identified, including free-living marine nematodes, benthic copepods, polychaetes, oligochaetes, bivalves, ostracods, cnidarians, turbellarians,tardigrades and other animals. Free-living marine nematodes were the most dominant group in both abundance and biomass. The abundances of marine nematodes were higher in winter and spring than those in summer and autumn. Most of the meiofauna distributed in the 0–2 cm sediment layer. The abundance of meiofauna in hightidal zone was lower than those in low-tidal and mid-tidal zones. Results of correlation analysis showed that Chlorophyll a was the most important factor to influence the seasonal dynamics of the abundance, biomass of meiofauna and abundances of nematodes and copepods. CLUSTER analysis divided the meiofaunal assemblages into three groups and BIOENV results indicated that salinity, concentration of organic matter, sediment sorting coefficient and sediment median diameter were the main environmental factors influencing the meiofaunal assemblages.

Seasonal Dynamics of the Soil Moisture in Yuanmou Dry-Hot Valley of Yunnan

[ Objective] The research aimed to study seasonal dynamics of the soil moisture in Yuanmou Dry-Hot Valley of Yunnan. [ Method] We investigated soil moisture in rainy season in Yuanmou Dry-Hot Valley. By combining completed research about soil moisture in dry season, data in rainy and dry seasons were contrasted to study seasonal dynamics of the soil moisture in the zone. [ Resultl Soil moisture in rainy season increased with the depth of soil, but would decrease within 1.0 m below the root layer. The soil moisture of grassland was higher than that of the woodland, while soil moisture of the savanna was higher than that of the woodland but lower than that of the grassland. In addition, compared with soil mois- ture in dry season, it is clear that to avoid forming permanent soil desiccation, based on soil and hydrology conditions in Yuanmou, it is better to plant grass not tree in Yuanmou when we do something about ecological restoration. [ Condusion] The research had certain guidance significance for planting agricultural and economic crops and carrying out ecological restoration in Yuanmou Dry-Hot Valley.

Satellite Images Applied to Assess the Influence of Amazon River Seasonal Dynamic on the Floodplain Lake Morphology

The objective of this study is to assess the influence of the Amazon River seasonal dynamic on floodplain lake morphology. The study area includes the Amazon River floodplain reach encompassed by the Madeira and Tapajós River confluences. Products from the Global Rain Forest Mapping (GRFM) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used to derive variables such as lake size, shape and number. The main steps in the research were: data base implementation, legend definition, image processing (merge, segmentation, classification and edition), morphological mapping and quantitative assessment. Four classes of lacustrine morphology were defined in this study: circular/elliptical, elongated, composite, and dendritic. The result showed that 1) the lake class increased 18.38% from the low- to high-water period;2) there was a reduction in the total number of lakes from low to high water;3) the most common lake type was the circular/elliptical;and 4) better results were obtained integrating SAR and optical sensors.

Soil Microbial Population Dynamics along a Chronosequence of Moist Evergreen Broad-leaved Forest Succession in Southwestern China

Little is known about whether soil microbial population dynamics are correlated with forest succession.To test the hypotheses that(1) soil microbial composition changes over successional stages,and(2) soil microbial diversity is positively correlated with plant species diversity,we determined the soil microbial populations,community composition,and microflora diversity in evergreen broad-leaved forests along a chronosequence of vegetation succession from 5 to 300 years in southwestern China.The soil microbial community was mainly composed of bacteria(87.1-98.7% of the total microorganisms and 10 genera identified),fungi(0.3-4.0%,7 genera),and actinomycetes(2.1-9.1%,8 species and 1 genus).There were significant differences in soil microbial populations among different successional stages and within the four seasons.The seasonal variations of the soil microbial community may be associated with the seasonal changes in environmental conditions.The changes in soil microbial diversity(Shannon-Wiener index) with successional time followed one-humped,convex curves peaked at-100 years since restoration,which is identical with the trends of the aboveground plant diversity.Higher plant diversity resulting in enhanced nutrient flow and root exudation may contribute to positive relationships between the soil microbial diversity and plant diversity.Hence,decreases in soil microbial diversity in the late-successional stages appear to be related to the net loss in species richness that occurs after 100 years since restoration.Our findings confirm the intermediate disturbance hypothesis that suggests diversity peaks at midsuccessional stages.

Dynamics of dissolved organic carbon in the mires in the Sanjiang Plain,Northeast China

Mires in boreal area had proved to be an important dissolved organic carbon （DOC） reserve for the sensitivity to climate change and human interfering. The study was focused on the temporal and spatial dynamics and controlling factors of DOC in a seasonallywaterlogged mire （SLM） and perennially-waterlogged mire （PLM） in the Sanjiang Plain, Northest China. In the two mires, DOC concentrations in both surface water and upper soil strata experienced pronounced seasonal variation. DOC concentrations in the surface waters were the greatest and averagely was 47.82 in SLM and 34.84 mg/L and PLM, whereas that in soil water at 0.3-m depth had little difference （20.25 mg/L in SLM and 26.51 mg/L in PLM）. Results revealed that DOC concentrations declined 5-8 times vertically from the surface down to groundwater. DOC in the groundwater only was in a very small part with the average concentration of 5.18 mg/L. In relation to the surface water, DOC concentrations varied positively with temperature just before 8 August, and only in early spring and later autumn DOC concentrations exhibited identifiable spatial trends along with standing water depths in PLM. It was supposed that the influences from standing water depth took effect only in conditions of low temperature, and temperature should be the most powerful factor controlling DOC dynamics in the mires. Redox potential （Red） showed negative relationship with DOC values while total nitrogen （TN） and the majority of free ions in the soil solution exhibited no relationship. High soil TOC/TN ratio and low redox potentials also led to DOC accumulation in the mires in the Sanjiang Plain.

Seasonal variation in the three-dimensional structures of coastal thermal front off western Guangdong

The seasonal structure and dynamic mechanism of oceanic surface thermal fronts(STFs)along the western Guangdong coast over the northern South China Sea shelf were analyzed using in situ observational data,remote sensing data,and numerical simulations.Both in situ and satellite observations show that the coastal thermal front exhibits substantial seasonal variability,being strongest in winter when it has the greatest extent and strongest sea surface temperature gradient.The winter coastal thermal front begins to appear in November and disappears after the following April.Although runoff water is more plentiful in summer,the front is weak in the western part of Guangdong.The frontal intensity has a significant positive correlation with the coastal wind speed,while the change of temperature gradient after September lags somewhat relative to the alongshore wind.The numerical simulation results accurately reflect the seasonal variation and annual cycle characteristics of the frontal structure in the simulated area.Based on vertical cross-section data,the different frontal lifecycles of the two sides of the Zhujiang(Pearl)River Estuary are analyzed.

Seasonal variations of rotifers from a high altitude urban shallow water body, La Cantera Oriente (Mexico City, Mexico)

La Cantera Oriente is a shallow freshwater volcanic water body located at an altitude of 2 270 m above sea level in the Ecological Reserve of San Angel Pedregal of Mexico City （Mexico）. In order to ensure the conservation of its biological heritage including zooplankton, the present work was undertaken to quantify the seasonal changes in the diversity and density of rotifers and the selected physico- chemical variables during 2013-2014. Qualitative analysis of the zooplankton samples yielded 68 rotifer species which represented 24 genera in 15 families. Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas, 1766, B. quadridentatus Hermann, 1783, Polyarthra vulgaris Carlin, 1943, Lecane closterocerca （Schmarda, 1859） and Keratella cochlearis （Gosse, 1851） were the most common species. Preston plots of species frequency-density revealed that as many as 30% of the rotifer taxa were dominant throughout the year. The species with high population densities were Brachionus quadridentatus, Lecane closterocerca, Keratella cochlearis, and Lepadellapatella; their peak densities were 2 000, 1 000, 180 and 90 ind./L, all occurring in summer. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that Platyias quadricornis was related to the concentration of phosphates available in the environment and the conductivity, while B. quadridentatus was positively correlated with chlorophyll-a. The trophic status of the lake was eutrophic based on Chl-a content but oligotrophic with relation to the Braehionus： Trichocerca ratio.

Seasonal shifts in the solute ion ratios of vadose zone rock moisture from the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory

One of the greatest challenges in critical zone studies is to document the moisture dynamics, water flux,and solute chemistry of the unsaturated, fractured and weathered bedrock that lies between the soil and groundwater table. The central impediment to quantifying this component of the subsurface is the difficulty associated with direct observations. Here, we report solute chemistry as a function of depth collected over a full year across the shale-derived vadose zone of the Eel River Critical Zone Observatory using a set of novel sub-horizontal wellbores,referred to as the vadose zone monitoring system. The results of this first geochemical glimpse into the deep vadose zone indicate a dynamic temporal and depth-resolved structure. Major cation concentrations reflect seasonal changes in precipitation and water saturation, and normalized ratios span the full range of values reported for the world's largest rivers.

Seasonal Dynamics of Runoff-Sediment Relationship and Its Controlling Factors in Black Soil Region of Northeast China

以位于东北典型黑土区的黑龙江省乌裕尔河流域中上游为研究区,利用依安站31年的日水沙观测资料,对流域水沙的季节性动态特征进行了分析,对影响水沙关系的自然及人为因素进行了探讨。观测数据表明,7-9月的径流量占全年的64.7%,对本区的产流起主导作用;径流平均含沙量在4月融雪期和6月底到7月中旬明显高于其他时段,含沙量的季节变化与径流的变化明显不同。为描述各影响因素对含沙量变化的贡献,本文通过将含沙量的季节变化与其影响因素的变化进行关联,提出了一种从多因素联合影响中分离出单因素影响的思路,分析表明:冻融作用对裸地的径流含沙量影响剧烈,明显增加土壤侵蚀;在地表有无植被及耕作措施情况下,降雨侵蚀力的增加都将增加径流含沙量;植被的出现可以削弱降雨侵蚀力增大时的增沙效应,但7月降雨侵蚀力的增沙作用超过了作物覆盖的减沙作用。所提方法可方便地用于缺少对比观测实验地区的土地利用和管理措施水保效用评价。

Seasonal dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater and its response to the freeing-thawing processes of soil in the permafrost region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The suprapermafrost groundwater in permafrost region not only is an important component of the water cycle and land surface process, but also is closely associated with the charges of ecological environment in cold region. However, the seasonal dynamics, driving factors, and mechanism of suprapermafrost groundwater are not well understood. Based on observation at slope scale on suprapermafrost groundwater dynamics of typical alpine meadows in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the seasonal dynamics, spatial distribution and driving factors of suprapermafrost groundwater were analyzed. The results showed that there were close relationships between the seasonal dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater and the freezing-thawing processes of active soil in permafrost region. The seasonal dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater and its slope distribution pattern were controlled by soil temperature of active layers. The phase and range of the suprapermafrost groundwater dynamics are determined by deep soil(below 60 cm depth) moisture and groundwater recharging sources. The relationship between active soil temperatures and dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater levels was better described by Boltzmann functions. However, the influencing thresholds of soil temperature on groundwater dynamics varied at different depths of active layers and in different slope positions, which resulted in the significant spatial heterogeneity of suprapermafrost groundwater dynamics in slope scale. Land cover change and global warming certainly altered the dynamics of suprapermafrost groundwater and the hydraulic interaction between groundwater and rivers, and consequently altered the overall hydrologic cycle of watershed scale.