Inhibitory effect of ferroptosis inhibitor toxicity induced by cobalt nanoparticles through reactive oxygen species

BACKGROUND:Soft tissue damage induced by cobalt nanoparticles is currently the most noticeable complication in patients with artificial joint prostheses.Therefore,an effective therapeutic strategy is needed to limit the toxicity of cobalt nanoparticles.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of a ferroptosis inhibitor on cobalt nanoparticles-induced cytotoxicity.METHODS:To evaluate the detoxification effect of ferroptosis inhibitor on mouse fibroblasts(Balb/3T3),Balb/3T3 cells were treated with cobalt nanoparticles and ferroptosis inhibitor for 24 hours.The cell viabilities were measured by cell viability assay.Based on the results of the cell viability assay,the concentrations of cobalt nanoparticles and deferiprone were determined.The experiment was divided into four groups:the cobalt nanoparticles group(400μmol/L cobalt nanoparticles),the cobalt nanoparticles+deferiprone group(400μmol/L cobalt nanoparticles and 25μmol/L deferiprone),the deferiprone group(25μmol/L deferiprone),and the control group.The expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 and solute carrier family 7 member 11 protein were examined by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The cell viability assay results showed that as the exposure time or the drug concentration increased,cell viability decreased further,indicating that the cytotoxic effect of cobalt nanoparticles was time-and dose-dependent.Additionally,after 24 hours of exposure,cobalt nanoparticles significantly reduced cell viability and glutathione levels compared with the control group(P<0.05).At the same time,compared with the control group,there was an increase in reactive oxygen species production,intracellular iron levels,and the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factorα,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.After the addition of deferiprone,compared with the cobalt nanoparticles group,cell viability significantly improved,and reactive oxygen species production,intracellular iron levels,and the expression of inflammatory cytokines(tumor necrosis factorα,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6)significantly decreased(P<0.05).This demonstrated that deferiprone had a protective effect on cells exposed to cobalt nanoparticles.(2)Western blot assay results showed that cobalt nanoparticles reduced the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 and solute carrier family 7 member 11 protein(P<0.05),while deferiprone inhibited this effect(P<0.05).(3)The above findings verify that cobalt nanoparticles are highly cytotoxic and ferroptosis inhibitor deferiprone has a detoxification effect on cytotoxicity induced by cobalt nanoparticles.Ferroptosis plays an important role in the process by which cobalt nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity.The inhibitory effect of ferroptosis inhibitors on the toxicity of cobalt nanoparticles may provide valuable insights for further research into the mechanisms of cobalt nanoparticle toxicity and potential detoxification strategies.

Distributional patterns of species diversity of main plant communities along altitudinal gradient in secondary forest region,Guandi Mountain,China

Fourteen plots were chosen along with the altitude of 1600-2600 m in Guandi Mountain, Shanxi Province, China to investigate all the trees in the plots, and the species diversity indexes were calculated for analyzing the effects of altitudinal gradient on plant species diversity. The results showed that the order of dominant species from low altitude to high altitude is as Quercus liaotungensis Koidz, Pinus tabulaeformis, Betula platyphylla, B. albo-sinensis, Picea wilsonii, P. Meyeri and Larix principis-rupprechtii. With altitude increasing, the average height and DBH of the arbor firstly increase and then decrease, the maximal height and DBH of the arbor present the unimodal variable trend, the maximal height of coniferous and broad-leaved trees firstly increases and then decreases, the maximal DBH of broad-leaf trees has no clear fluctuation, and the maximal DBH of the needle-leaf trees decreases gradually. Moreover, in middle altitudinal communities （the altitude of 1900-2200 m）, the maximal height and DBH of the needle-leaf trees are larger than these of broad-leaf trees. Both Shannon-wiener index and Margalef index of the communities present the unimodal variable trend, with a peak in the mid-altitude. Plant species diversity in the mid-altitude （1900-2200 m） is higher than that of the low altitude （1600-1900 m） and the high altitude （2200-2600 m）. In addition, the unimodal variable trend of α species diversity is clearly correlated with the altitudinal gradient. The change of plant species diversity is significantly correlated with the altitudinal gradient, and also related to the community structure, the community composition, the feature of species and the human disturbance.

Patterns of species diversity and functional diversity of breeding birds in Hangzhou across an urbanization gradient

Given the rapid rise in human population and increasing urbanization,it is important to understand their potential impacts on biodiversity.From March 2007 to August 2007,we conducted bird surveys in 90 strip transects,each 3 km long and 100 m wide,along a gradient of urbanization in Hangzhou,China.This gradient spanned a range of urbanization levels including urban areas,rural-urban continuum areas,farming areas,mixed forest/farming areas and forested areas.We recorded 96 breeding bird species and classified them into nine functional groups based on nesting requirements.The nine functional groups consisted of canopy nesters,shrub nesters,canopy/shrub nesters,natural cavity nesters,building nesters,natural cavity/building nesters,ground nesters,water surface nesters and parasitic nesters.Species and functional diversities were estimated based on the Shannon-Wiener index.Environmental data of each transect as human disturbance,vegetation cover and building index were also measured,and a synthetic urbanization index of each transect was introduced based on these data.We used regression analyses to model the relationship of species abundance,species diversity,functional abundance and functional diversity with this synthetic index.The results show that urbanization significantly reduces species richness,species diversity,functional richness and functional diversity,but the specific patterns differed.The relationship between species abundance/species diversity and urbanization is linear.In contrast,the relationship between functional diversity and urbanization was quadratic.In other words,with increased urbanization,functional diversity declined only slightly at first but then dropped at an accelerating rate.This implies that,although moderate urbanization reduces species diversity of breeding birds,it affects functional diversity of breeding birds only slightly in Hangzhou.The regression analysis of species diversity and functional diversity suggests a quadratic relationship between species diversity and functional diversity,i.e.,a linear relationship between species diversity and functional diversity can only exist at low diversity levels across urbanization gradients and increasing species abundance does not lead to an increase in functional diversity at the highest diversity levels.

牛病毒性腹泻病毒E^(rns)-ELISA抗体检测试剂盒的制备

为建立快速检测牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)的血清学方法,本试验以BVDV NADL毒株结构蛋白E^(rns)作为包被抗原,优化反应条件并组装BVDV酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)抗体检测试剂盒,通过重复性试验、灵敏性试验、符合率试验和保存期试验验证该试剂盒的准确性、灵敏性和稳定性。结果显示,抗原包被浓度为4μg/mL,1%酪蛋白溶液37℃封闭45 min,被检血清以1∶400稀释孵育30 min,兔抗牛HRP标记二抗以1∶20000稀释孵育30 min,TMB底物反应5 min时,ELISA的反应背景下降,区分度最好。优化后方法的批内重复性试验和批间重复性试验的变异系数均在10%以内,表明该试剂盒具有较好的稳定性;灵敏性试验结果显示,当阳性血清稀释度达到1∶6400时仍可以检测为阳性,说明该试剂盒灵敏度较高;该试剂盒与美国爱德士生物科技公司(IDEXX)BVDV总抗体检测试剂盒共同检测466份临床血清样品,两者总符合率为89.1%;保存期试验结果显示,第4个月时该试剂盒仍能检测到阳性血清,说明稳定性较好。综上表明,本试验利用E^(rns)蛋白建立的BVDV间接ELISA抗体检测试剂盒灵敏度高且重复性好,可为BVDV抗体检测和流行性调查提供新的方法。

猪瘟病毒E^(rns)蛋白原核表达及其多克隆抗体制备

【目的】制备猪瘟病毒(Classical swine fever virus, CSFV)E^(rns)蛋白多克隆抗体,为进一步研究E^(rns)蛋白结构和功能及解析CSFV的致病机理提供理论依据。【方法】采用生物信息学方法预测E^(rns)蛋白结构。以真核表达载体pCMV-HA-E^(rns)为模板,PCR克隆CSFV E^(rns)基因,构建原核表达载体pET-32a-E^(rns)。将pET-32a-E^(rns)转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)感受态细胞,添加IPTG诱导E^(rns)蛋白表达,确定Erns蛋白表达形式。利用Ni-NTA亲和层析法纯化蛋白,以获得高纯度的E^(rns)蛋白。采用背部皮下多点注射法免疫小鼠,经4次免疫后采集小鼠血液,分离血清制备获得Erns蛋白多克隆抗体,并检测其效价和特异性。【结果】E^(rns)蛋白不含信号肽和跨膜结构域,为亲水性蛋白,含有多个B细胞抗原表位;E^(rns)基因片段大小为681 bp,其重组蛋白主要以包涵体形式表达;E^(rns)蛋白多克隆抗体对原核表达的重组蛋白效价为1∶64000,对真核表达的重组蛋白效价为1∶1000,且能特异性识别CSFV。【结论】制备获得的E^(rns)蛋白多克隆抗体具有效价高和特异性强等特点,可用于ELISA和Western blotting检测细胞中E^(rns)蛋白水平。E^(rns)蛋白多克隆抗体的制备有助于更好地理解E^(rns)蛋白在CSFV感染和免疫过程中的作用,对深入研究E^(rns)蛋白功能、CSFV生物学特性及猪瘟的防治和诊断方法的开发具有重要意义。

Vegetation patterns and species-environment relationships in the Gurbantunggut Desert of China

The Gurbantunggut Desert is the largest stable and semi-stable sand desert in China, yet few data exist on vegetation pattern and species-environment relationships for these diverse desert landscapes. The sand dunes of the survey area are mainly of the longi- tudinal form from north to south, but checkerboard-shaped and honeycomb-shaped forms are also present, with the height of 10-50 m. We measured vegetation and soil data on north-south transects and compared them with vegetation and soil data on east-west transects. Analysis revealed that the varying trend and strength of the species diversity, dominance and cover of the plant communities in the longitudinal and transverse directions across the landscape are significantly different. The results of CCA ordination show that the microhabitats of soil organic matter （OM）, soil salts （TS）, sorting index （ σ ）, topsoil water-content （SM） and pH relate to the differences in vegetation observed as differences in species assemblage from salt-intolerant ephemerals, micro-subshrubs and subshrubs to salt-tolerant shrubs and micro-arbors. The terrain （alt.） and soil texture （the contents of Mz and Ф 1） affect the spatial differentiation of many species. However, this spatial differentiation is not so marked on transects running longitudinally with the landscape, in the same direction as the dunes. The species of the desert vegetation have formed three assemblages under the action of habitat gradients, relating to three sections running transversely across the landscape, at right angles to the direction of the dune crests. In the mid-east section of the study area the topography is higher, with sand-lands or dune-slopes with coarse particles. Here the dominant vegetation comprises shrubs and subshrubs of Seriphidium santofium and Ephedra distachya, with large numbers of ephemeral and ephemeroid plants of Senecio subdentatus, and Carex physodes in spring and summer. On the soil of the dune-slopes in the mid-west of the study area, with coarse particles and abundant TK, the plant assemblage of Haloxylon persicum, Soranthus meyeri and Agriophyllum squarrosum is developed. The species composition in the east marginal belt of the study area has similar characteristics to the mid-west section. There is no corresponding section in the north-south transects （except for the north and south margins）. This is because the habitats of most plants are located in the middle of the microhabitat gradients in the north-south direction in the desert.

Species composition,distribution patterns and ecological functions of biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert

As one of the most important biological factors that maintain the stability of the largest fixed and semi-fixed desert in China,the Gurbantunggut Desert,the biological soil crusts (BSCs) develop well and play critical ecological roles in the desert ecosystem. In this paper,we briefly summarize our research findings since 2002 including species composition,distribution pattern and ecological functions of BSCs in the desert. Our results indicate abundant species diversity of BSCs in the Gurbantunggut Desert in comparison to other deserts in China. At the scales of sand dune or whole desert,the distribution patterns of BSCs are location-specific. The existence of BSCs in this desert could:(1) accelerate the formation of desert soil and the weathering of minerals; (2) accumulate organic matter in surface soil through related species in soil crusts; (3) enhance the abilities of sand surface to resist wind erosion; (4) influence seed germination of vascular plants; and (5) enhance the production of dew deposition on sandy soil surface.

The influence of selective cutting of mixed Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis Sieb.et Zucc.) and broad-leaf forest on rare species distribution patterns and spatial correlation in Northeast China

This study aimed to demonstrate change in spatial correlation between Korean pine （Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.） and three rare species, and change in spatial distribution of four species in response to a range of selective cutting intensities. We sampled three plots of mixed Korean pine and broad-leaf forest in Lushuihe Forestry Bureau of Jilin province, China. Plot 1, a control, was unlogged Korean pine broad-leaf forest. In plots 2 and 3, Korean pine was selectively cut at 15 and 30 % intensity, respectively, in the 1970s. Other species were rarely cut. We used point-pattern analysis to research the spatial distributions of four tree species and quantify spatial correlations between Korean pine and the other three species, Amur linden （Tilia amurensis Rupr.）, Manchurian ash （Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.）, and Mongolian oak （Quercus mongolica Fisch.） in all three plots. The results of the study show that selective cutting at 15 % intensity did not significantly change either the species spatial patterns or the spatial correlation between Korean pine and broadleaf species. Selective cutting at 30 % intensity slightly affected the growth of Korean pine and valuable species in forest communities, and the effect was considered nondestructive and recoverable.

Patterns of reptile and amphibian species richness along elevational gradients in Mt. Kenya

Faunal species richness is traditionally assumed to decrease with increasing elevation and decreasing prmary productivity. Species richness is reported to peak at mid-elevation. This survey examines the herpetofaunal diversity and distribution in Mt. Kenya （central Kenya） by testing the hypothesis that changes in species richness with elevation relate to elevation-dependent changes in climate. Sampling along transects from an elevation of approximately 1 700 m in Chogoda forest block （wind-ward side） and approximately 2 600 m in Sirimon block （rain shadow zone） upwards in March 2009. This starts from the forest to montane alpine zones. Sampling of reptiles and amphibians uses pitfall traps associated with ddfl fences, time-limited searches and visual encounter surveys. The results show that herpetofaunal richness differs among three vegetation zones along the elevation gradient. Chogoria has higher biodiversity than Sirimon. More species occur at low and middle elevations and few exist at high elevations. The trends are consistent with expected optimum water and energy variables. The lower alpine montane zone has high species richness but low diversity due to domi- nance of some high elevations species. Unambiguous data do not support a mid-domain effect （mid-elevation peak） because the observed trend better fits a model in which climatic variables （rainfall and temperature） control species richness, which indirectly measures productivity. It is important to continue protection of all indigenous forests, especially at low to mid elevations. These areas are vulnerable to human destruction yet are home to some endemic species. Firebreaks can limit the spread of the perennial wildfires, especially on the moor- lands.

Elevational patterns of bird species richness on the eastern slope of Mt.Gongga,Sichuan Province,China

Background:In biological systems,biological diversity often displays a rapid turn-over across elevations.This defining feature has made mountains classic systems for studying the spatial variation in diversity.Because patterns of elevational diversity can vary among lineages and mountain systems it remains difficult to extrapolate findings from one montane region to another,or among lineages.In this study,we assessed patterns and drivers of avian diversity along an elevational gradient on the eastern slope of Mt.Gongga,the highest peak in the Hengduan Mountain Range in central China,and a mountain where comprehensive studies of avian diversity are still lacking.Methods:We surveyed bird species in eight 400-m elevational bands from 1200 to 4400 m a.s.l.between 2012 and 2017.To test the relationship between bird species richness and environmental factors,we examined the relative importance of seven ecological variables on breeding season distribution patterns:land area(LA),mean daily temperature(MDT),seasonal temperature range(STR),the mid-domain effect(MDE),seasonal precipitation(SP),invertebrate biomass(IB) and enhanced vegetation index(EVI).Climate data were obtained from five local meteorological stations and three temperature/relative humidity smart sensors in 2016.Results:A total of 219 bird species were recorded in the field,of which 204 were recorded during the breeding season(April–August).Species richness curves(calculated separately for total species,large-ranged species,and smallranged species) were all hump-shaped.Large-ranged species contributed more to the total species richness pattern than small-ranged species.EVI and IB were positively correlated with total species richness and small-ranged species richness.LA and MDT were positively correlated with small-ranged species richness,while STR and SP were negatively correlated with small-ranged species richness.MDE was positively correlated with large-ranged species richness.When we considered the combination of candidate factors using multiple regression models and model-averaging,total species richness and large-ranged species richness were correlated with STR(negative) and MDE(positive),while small-ranged species richness was correlated with STR(negative) and IB(positive).Conclusions:Although no single key factor or suite of factors could explain patterns of diversity,we found that MDE,IB and STR play important but varying roles in shaping the elevational richness patterns of different bird species categories.Model-averaging indicates that small-ranged species appear to be mostly influenced by IB,as opposed to large-ranged species,which exhibit patterns more consistent with the MDE model.Our data also indicate that the species richness varied between seasons,offering a promising direction for future work.

Shrub Communities and Environmental Variables Responsible for Species Distribution Patterns in an Alpine Zone of the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China

Understanding the factors that drive variation in species distribution is a central theme of ecological research. Although several studies focused on alpine vegetation, few efforts have been made to identify the environmental factors that are responsible for the variations in species composition and richness of alpine shrublands using numerical methods. In the present study, we investigated vegetation and associated environmental variables from 45 sample plots in the middle Qilian Mountains of the northwestern China to classify different community types and to elucidate the species- environment relationships. We also estimated the relative contributions of topography and site conditions to spatial distribution patterns of the shrub communities using the variation partitioning. The results showed that four shrub community types were identified and striking differences in fioristic composition were found among them. Species composition greatly depended on elevation, slope, shrub cover, soil pH and organic carbon. The important determinants of species richness were soil bulk density and slope. No significant differences in species richness were detected among the community types. Topography and site conditions had almost equal effects on compositional variation. Nonetheless,a large amount of the variation in species composition remained unexplained.

Spatial dynamic patterns of saltmarsh vegetation in southern Hangzhou Bay:Exotic and native species

A saltmarsh has developed rapidly on the mudflat of Andong Shoal,in southern Hangzhou Bay,over the last decade since embankment.The saltmarsh vegetation changes are driven by both sediment dynamic conditions and the competition between the exotic species Spartina alterniflora(S.alterniflora) and the native species Scirpus mariqueter(S.mariqueter).This study attempted to investigate large-scale spatial variations in the exotic and native species,by analyzing and interpreting a time series(2016-2018) of high-resolution(less than 1 m) remote sensing images.The total area of the saltmarsh increased at a rate of 1.07 km^2/year,due to the accretion of the whole tidal flat.The spatial patterns revealed a new bimodal pattern for S.alterniflora invasion.S.alterniflora expanded over the upper to middle saltmarsh at a rate of1.68 km2/year.However,the S.alterniflora patches at the seaward edge expanded at a negative rate of-0.005 km^2/year,indicating a different pattern in competition:S.alterniflora had more advantages in the upper saltmarsh,while S.mariqueter had more advantages in the pioneer zone with low elevation.Consequently,S.alterniflora mainly established new habitats by invading S.mariqueter in the middle saltmarsh,but S.mariqueter occupied the bare mudflat for tradeoff.Our results aindicated that the interspecific competition result between S.alterniflora and S.mariqueter depended on elevation,and low elevation might create a favorable environment for S.mariqueter to win the competition with exotic species.This finding could be applied to future invasive species control and saltmarsh management.

Global patterns of fern species diversity:An evaluation of fern data in GBIF

Despite that several studies have shown that data derived from species lists generated from distribution occurrence records in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility(GBIF)are not appropriate for those ecological and biogeographic studies that require high sampling completeness,because species lists derived from GBIF are generally very incomplete,Suissa et al.(2021)generated fern species lists based on data with GBIF for 100 km×100 km grid cells across the world,and used the data to determine fern diversity hotspots and species richness-climate relationships.We conduct an evaluation on the completeness of fern species lists derived from GBIF at the grid-cell scale and at a larger spatial scale,and determine whether fern data derived from GBIF are appropriate for studies on the relations of species composition and richness with climatic variables.We show that species sampling completeness of GBIF is low(<40%)for most of the grid cells examined,and such low sampling completeness can substantially bias the investigation of geographic and ecological patterns of species diversity and the identification of diversity hotspots.We conclude that fern species lists derived from GBIF are generally very incomplete across a wide range of spatial scales,and are not appropriate for studies that require data derived from species lists in high completeness.We present a map showing global patterns of fern species diversity based on complete or nearly complete regional fern species lists.

Decomposition patterns of leaf litter of seven common canopy species in a subtropical forest： dynamics of mineral nutrients

Dynamical patterns of mineral elements during decomposition processes were investigated for seven common canopy species in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest by means of litterbag technique over 2 years. The species studied are representative for the vegetation in the study area and differed significantly in chemical qualities of their litter. No significant relationships were found between decomposition rate （percentage dry mass remaining and decomposition constant k） and initial element cuncentrations.However, there were significant correlations betweeu the percentage of dry mass remaining and the mineral element concentrations in the remaining litter for most cases. The rank of the element mobility in decomposition process was as follows： Na = K 〉 Mg ≥ Ca 〉 N ≥ Mn ≥ Zn ≥ P 〉 Cu 〉〉 Al 〉〉 Fe. Concentrations of K and Na decreased in all species as decomposition proceeded. Calcium and Mg also decreased in concentrntion but with a temporal increase in the initial phase of decomposition, while the concentrations of other elements （Zn, Cu, AL and Fei increased for all species with exception of Mn which revealed a different pattern in different species. In most species, microelements （Cu, Al, and Fe） significantly increased in absolute amounts at the end of the litterbag incubation, which could be ascribed to a lange extent to the mechanism of abiotic fixation to humic substances rather than biological immobilization.

The Occurrence of an Exotic Bisexual Artemia Species, Artemia franciscana, in Two Coastal Salterns of Shandong Province, China

The alien halophilous Artemia species, Artemia franciscana, was found in Chengkou Saltern and Yangkou Saltern of Shandong Province, P.R. China. Although the indigenous parthenogenetic Artemia is detectable, the exotic species is dominant in both salterns. The cross-breeding tests between the exotic A. franciscana and 5 bisexual Artemia species were conducted. The results of hybridization and morphological observations on the exotic A. franciscana are briefly presented in this short communication.

Biodiversity and Invasibility: Distribution Patterns of Invasive Plant Species in the Himalayas, Nepal

Invasive plant species are exerting a serious threat to biological diversity in many regions of the world. To understand plant invasions this study aims to test which of the two plant invasiveness hypotheses; ‘low native diversity' vs. ‘high native diversity', is supported by the regional distribution patterns of invasive plant species in the Himalayas,Nepal. This study is based on data retrieved from published literatures and herbarium specimens. The relationship between invasive plant species distribution patterns and that of native plant species is elucidated by scatter plots, as well as by generalized linear models. The native plant species and invasive plant species have similar distribution patterns and the maximum number of invasive plant species is found in the same altitudinal range where the highest richness for native tree species is found. There is a clear trend of higher invasive plant richness in regions where native tree species richness is relatively high.Consequently, the native plant richness is highest in the central phytogeographic region, followed by the eastern and the western regions, respectively. The invasive plant species also follows a similar trend.Additionally, the invasive plant species richness was positively correlated with anthropogenic factors such as human population density and the number of visiting tourists. This study supports the hypothesis that ‘high native diversity' supports or facilitates invasive plant species. Further, it indicates that nativeand invasive plant species may require similar natural conditions, but that the invasive plant species seem more dependent and influenced by anthropogenic disturbance factors.

Patterns of species dominance, diversity and dispersion in ‘Khasi hill sal' forest ecosystem in northeast India

Background： The ＇Khasi hill sal＇ forest ecosystem in Meghalaya, India represents the easternmost limit of sal distribution. We tested if tree diversity and compositional heterogeneity of this ecosystem was higher than other sal-dominated forests due to moister environment. Methods： Vegetation was sampled in 11 transects of 10 m width and up to 500 m length covering 5.2 ha area. All stems ≥10 cm girth at breast height were enumerated. Results： We found a pattern of mixed dominance of Shored robusta （sal） and Schima wollichii and co-dominance of Pinus kesiyo and Careya arborea. The Shannon＇s diversity index （H＇） was 3.395 nats. This value is remarkably high and competitive to that of moist sal forests of eastern Himalayan foothills and sal-dominated forests of Tripura. A high value of H＇ was manifested by： a） high species richness （S = 123）, b） good equitability （70.6%）, c） ＇fair＇ resource apportionment, and d） abundance of rare species （84% species with less than one per cent of total individuals, 67% species with two or less individuals ha-1 and 59% species with one or less individuals ha-1）. The compositional heterogeneity was ＇fair＇ （Whittaker＇sβw = 3.15）. The presence of Fagaceae with six species commanding 4.3% of importance value （IVl） and of a pine （P. kesiya） in sal forest was remarkable. As many as 58 species showed ＇low density （〈 10 individuals ha-1）, uniform dispersion＇, five species achieved ＇higher density （〉 10 individuals ha-l）, uniform dispersion＇ and six of the top 10 species were ＇clumped＇. The forest showed an exponential demographic curve illustrating ＇good＇ regeneration of an expanding community. Vertical stratification was simple with a poor canopy and fair subcanopy, which together with low basal area （15.65 m2 . ha-1 for individuals ≥ 10 cm gbh） indicated logging of mature sal trees in the past. Conclusions： The ＇Khasi hill sal＇ forest ecosystem is richer in alpha and beta diversity than most sal-dominated forests, but past logging has reduced basal area. Selective removal of small timber and firewood, slash-and-burn agriculture and recurrent burning of forest floor are the principal anthropogenic factors controlling forest structure and regeneration of species.

Species richness patterns and the determinants of larch forests in China

Larch forests are important for species diversity,as well as soil and water conservation in mountain regions.In this study,we determined large-scale patterns of species richness in larch forests and identified the factors that drive these patterns.We found that larch forest species richness was high in southern China and low in northern China,and that patterns of species richness along an elevational gradient depend on larch forest type.In addition,we found that patterns of species richness in larch forests are best explained by contemporary climatic factors.Specifically,mean annual temperature and annual potential evapotranspiration were the most important factors for species richness of tree and shrub layers,while mean temperature of the coldest quarter and anomaly of annual precipitation from the Last Glacial Maximum to the present were the most important for that of herb layer and the whole community.Community structural factors,especially stand density,are also associated with the species richness of larch forests.Our findings that species richness in China's larch forests is mainly affected by energy availability and cold conditions support the ambient energy hypothesis and the freezing tolerance hypothesis.

A study on zooplankton distribution patterns and indicator species in Kuroshio upstream area and adjacent East China Sea

On the basis of the data of zooplankton biomass and three major taxa—— Copepoda, Chaetognatha andSiphonophora of May-June 1986, July-August and December 1987, the distributional patterns and the indicator species of zooplankton in the Kuroshio and adjacent waters of the East China Sea are preliminarily studied. The results are as follows:The horizontal distribution of zooplankton biomass and the abundance of copepods, chaetognaths and siphonophores arecurred in the continent area northwest of Taiwan and the south-centre section of the East China Sea continent, which are the mix front of different waters. Zooplankton in the water area inside of Ryukyu Islands presented low abundance and high diversity. There are clear seasonal variations in zooplankton biomass and abundance in the study area. The strength or weakness of different water masses and fronts is the basic reason for the variations of zooplankton biomass and abundance.The species composition of zooplankton in the study area is complex and varies, however, the tropic oceanic species predominates overwhelmingly. The distribution of different ecotype species evidences the distribution of different water masses and the state of mixture. The indicator species of each water mass are listed in the paper so as to provide grounds for the variation of currents in the Kuroshio area.The temperature and salinity of sea water are important factors affecting zooplankton distribution, composition and diversity , however the role of salinity is major. With the replacement of one season by another, the correlative levels of temperature and salinity to various zooplankton taxa are more or less significant.

Diversity, composition and host-species relationships of epiphytic orchids and ferns in two forests in Nepal

Epiphytic plant species are an important part of biological diversity. It is therefore essential to understand the distribution pattern and the factors influencing such patterns. The present study is aimed at observing the patterns of species richness, abundances and species composition of epiphytic orchids and ferns in two subtropical forests in Nepal. We also studied the relationship of host plants(Schima wallichii and Quercus lanata) and epiphyte species. Data were collected in Naudhara community forest(CF) and the national forest(NF) in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate tests. In total, we recorded 41 species of epiphytes(33 orchid and 8 fern species). Orchid species abundance is significantlyhigher in CF compared to NF. Orchid species richness and abundance increased with increasing southern aspect whereas it decreased with increasing canopy cover, and fern species richness increased with host bark roughness. Orchid abundance was positively correlated with increasing bark p H, stem size, tree age and tree height and negatively correlated with increasing steepness of the area. Likewise, fern abundances were high in places with high canopy cover, trees that were tall and big, but decreased with increasing altitude and southern aspect. The composition of the orchid and fern species was affected by altitude, aspect, canopy cover, DBH, number of forks and forest management types. We showed that the diversity of orchid and fern epiphytes is influenced by host characteristics as well as host types. The most important pre-requisite for a high epiphyte biodiversity is the presence of oldrespectively tall trees, independent of the recent protection status. This means:(i) for protection, e.g.in the frame of the national park declaration, such areas should be used which host such old tall trees;and(ii) also in managed forests and even in intensively used landscapes epiphytes can be protected by letting a certain number of trees be and by giving them space to grow old and tall.