Species spatial distributions in a warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest in China

Spatial distribution is fundamental for understanding species coexistence mechanisms in forest communities.Here we comprehensively explored fine-scale spatial patterns of tree species in a secondary warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest community in north China.Aggregated distribution patterns were predominant.Species functional traits had no significant effects on their spatial patterns.The aggregation intensity decreased with increasing DBH and abundance.The multivariate linear stepwise regression showed that abundance and maximum DBH were correlated with the aggregation intensity.Our results partially confirm that species attributes(abundance,DBH)and habitat heterogeneity may primarily contribute to spatial patterns and species coexistence in this secondary forest.

Functional diversity of Cercidiphyllum japonicum, communities in the Shennongjia Reserve, central China

Functional diversity is significant to ecological processes of plant communities. We analyzed the variation of functional diversity of endangered species, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, communities along an elevational gradient in the Shennongjia Reserve, central China. Sixty plots of 10 9 20 m from 1,350 to 2,050 m were set up and species composition, traits and environmental variables were measured and recorded. These data were analyzed using five functional diversity indices, functional attribute diversity, modified functional attribute diversity, plot based functional diversity, community based functional diversity and Rao＇s functional diversity indices（Rao＇s index）,Functional diversities of C. japonicum communities were rich and varied greatly. Functional diversity declined nonlinearly with increasing elevation. Functional diversity was significantly correlated with species richness and heterogeneity. Elevation was a key environmental variable influencing functional diversity and species diversity. The five functional diversity indices were all effective for measuring functional diversity of communities. Functional diversity can be used as an indicator of conservation efficiency of endangered species such as C. japonicum.

Global woodland structure from local interactions:new nearest-neighbour functions for understanding the ontogenesis of global forest structure

Background:A number of hypotheses and theories,such as the Janzen-Connell hypothesis,have been proposed to explain the natural maintenance of biodiversity in tropical and temperate forest ecosystems.However,to date the details of the processes behind this natural maintenance are still unclear.Recently two new nearest-neighbour characteristics were proposed and in this paper we demonstrate how they can contribute to a better understanding of the ontogenesis of global forest structure from localised neighbourhoods.Methods:We applied the new species and size segregation functions together with appropriate test procedures to four example woodland data sets from China at Daqingshan,Jiaohe,Jiulongshan and Xiaolongshan forest regions.In addition we quantified the morphology of the new characteristics and modelled a neighbourhood allometric coefficient linking the two functions.Results:The results revealed quite different species segregation patterns with both conspecific and heterospecific attraction.We found these to be generally matched by equivalent size segregation patterns of attraction of similar and different sizes.It was straightforward to model the size segregation function from the knowledge of the species segregation function by estimating a neighbourhood allometric coefficient.Conclusions:The new characteristics have helped to quantify the extent and rate of decline of neighbourhood interactions in terms of spatial species and size diversity.Through the allometric neighbourhood coefficient the analysis highlighted once more how closely related species and size segregation are,thus supporting the minglingsize hypothesis.Using both a traditional and a restricted random-labelling test has provided a valuable tool for understanding the exact nature of species-mingling and size-inequality relationships.

Isolation and Identification of a Functional Centromere Element in the Wild Rice Species Oryza granulata with the GG Genome

The centromere of eukaryotic chromosomes is the crucial locus responsible for sister chromatid cohesion and for correct segregation of chromosomes to daughter cells during cell division. In the structural genomics era, centromeres represent the last frontiers of higher eukaryotic genomes because of their densely methylated, highly repetitive and, heterochromatic DNA （Hall et al., 2004）. Although these functions are conserved among all eukaryotes, centromeric DNA sequences are evolving rapidly （Jiang et al., 2003）.

Abnormal energy metabolism and tau phosphorylation in the brains of middle-aged mice in response to atmospheric PM2.5 exposure

In light of the accelerated aging of the global population and the deterioration of the atmosphere pollution, we sought to clarify the potential mechanisms by which fine particulate matter（PM_（2.5）） can cause cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration through the alteration of mitochondrial structure and function. The results indicate that PM_（2.5） inhalation reduces ATP production by disrupting the aerobic tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, thereby causing the hypophosphorylation of tau in the cortices of middle-aged mice. Furthermore, excessive reactive oxygen species generation was involved in the impairment. Interestingly, these alterations were partially reversed after exposure to PM_（2.5） ended. These findings clarify the mechanism involved in mitochondrial abnormality-related neuropathological dysfunction in response to atmospheric PM_（2.5） inhalation and provide an optimistic sight for alleviating the adverse health outcomes in polluted areas.

Concept of the integrative aspects of the forest ecosystem services with case study on recreation services assessment in Slovakia

Introduction:This paper presents basic information on the research,classification,and application of the functions of tree species and their communities(mainly forest)in Slovakia.The main aim is a scientific assessment of acquired knowledge regarding the functional effects of forests under real ecological,forest management and socio-economic conditions from various regions in Slovakia;the most up-to-date findings concerning the ecology and economics of natural resources will be applied here.The second part of the paper presents methodological possibilities for valuation of outdoor recreation in forests.Different methods and methodological approaches suitable to a valuation of recreation based on various principles and criteria(preference and non-preference methods,cost-based methods,revenue-based methods,and direct and indirect methods)are analyzed.A practical application of one indirect preference method(travel cost method)is made to evaluate outdoor recreation in forests in Slovakia.Results and conclusions:A new classification system and a methodology of integrative utilization of forest functions for the forest ecosystem services are constructed.Outdoor recreation in forests,besides recreational forests and areas,assumes the character of a public good:its use by individuals has some influence on utilization by other individuals,and single users cannot be excluded from its utilization.Therefore,some stimulation for its production is missing.In principle,there are no markets for these kinds of public goods and services.The total value of outdoor recreation in forests in Slovakia amounted to€163.4 million;if opportunity time costs were included,this amounted to as much as€825.7 million.