Abstract:Effects of grassland conversion to cropland and forest on soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the farming-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia were investigated by direct field sampling. SOC content and DOC content in soil decreased after grassland were shifted to forest or cropland, in the sequence of grassland soil > forest soil > cropland soil. SOC stock declined by 18% after grassland shifted from to forest. Reclamation of cropland for 10 years, 15 years and 20 years lost SOC in 0–30 cm soil layer, by 34%, 14% and 18%, respectively, compared with that of grassland. DOC in 3 soil layers was within 21.1–26.5 mg/L in grassland, 12.1–14.6 mg/L in forest soil, and 8.0–14.0 mg/L in cropland soil. Correlation analysis indicated that SOC content and DOC content were positively dependent on total nitrogen content (p < 0.05), but negatively on bulk density or land use type (p < 0.05). DOC was positively correlated SOC (p < 0.01). Moreover, SOC content could be quantitatively described by a linear combination of land use types (p = 0.000, r² = 0.712), and DOC content by a linear combination of two soil-related variables, land use types and SOC (p = 0.000, r² = 0.861).

Abstract:This study investigates the physiological responses in the hermatypic coral Galaxea fascicularis exposed to salinity stress (from 37 ppt to 15 ppt) for 12 h, combined effects of reduced salinity (from 37 ppt to 20 ppt) and two temperatures (26 °C and 32 °C) for 12 h and combined effects of reduced salinity (from 37 ppt to 25 ppt) and two temperatures (26 °C and 29.5 °C) for 10 d. The results demonstrate that the coral is tolerant to 12 h exposure to extremely low salinity (15 ppt). The study also shows that combined effects of temperature and low salinity aggravate the damage on the photosynthesis of the symbiotic dinoflagellates in 12 h exposure to 20 ppt sea water. This study suggests that high temperature (29.5 °C) aggravates the damage of trivially low salinity (30 ppt) on the holobiont (the coral and its symbiotic dinoflagellates) in 10 d exposure. However, high temperature (29.5 °C) may have an antagonistic effect between temperature and low salinity (25 ppt) on metabolism of the holobiont. Based on the above results, we suggest that (1) the true mechanism of corals exposed to combined effects of low salinity and high temperature is complicated. This calls for more studies on different corals. Future studies should aim at investigating long-term low-level stress in order to simulate in situ conditions more accurately; (2) when corals exposed to extremely severe combined stressors for short-term or trivially severe stressors for relative long-term, the combined effects of two stressors (such as low salinity and high temperature) may be negative, otherwise, the effects may be additive.

Abstract:Cyclobalanopsis glauca is a dominant species in mid-subtropical forest, and usually plays an important role in forest ecosystems. However, it often suffers redundant precipitation or water stress, which often concurs with high temperature, nutrient depletion and strong irradiance. The study presented in the paper hypothesized that soil water exerted strong influence on leaf gas exchange and traits. The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of soil water changes on photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits and their relationships of C. glauca seedlings growing on nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil at three water levels. The study measured the specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen content, chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic light response curve. Its results showed that there were no differences in leaf size, leaf dry weight, SLA, leaf dry matter content, Leaf nitrogen concentration and Leaf chlorophyll between the two soil nutrient treatments, while these parameters differed significantly among different water levels for either of the treatments. There were large variations in leaf photosynthetic parameters and leaf traits among the different water treatments, indicating different response patterns of C. glauca seedling and its adaptation to the different soil water conditions. There were no significant differences in light-saturated photosynthetic rate (A_max) and apparent quantum yield (Ø) between the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils, which indicated that the C. glauca seedlings could maintain similar capacities in different soils that differed in nutrient condition. As to the relation between the photosynthesis and leaf traits, the A_max and PNUE were positively correlated with the SLA, respectively, but the SLA had significant negative relationship with the leaf N (P<0.01) in nutrient-rich soil. In contrast, both A_max and PNUE were significantly negatively correlated with the SLA, respectively (P<0.01); and the SLA was not significantly positively correlated with the leaf nitrogen concentration of the nutrient-poor soil (P>0.05). The specific leaf areas (SLA), nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations as well as other photosynthetic features were influenced in a coordinative manner by the soil water. The relation among the A_max, PNUE and the Nmass, SLA could be described as a binomial equation and a liner negative regression for the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil, respectively. In conclusion, soil water was more constraining factor than the soil nutrient to the photosynthesis of C. glauca seedlings, nutrient-rich soil could offset some negative influence resulting from soil water deficit on LSP and LCP. Factors affecting the variations of photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits of C. glauca seedlings differed between the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils.

Abstract:Without a robust and healthy root system, establishment, productivity, and persistence are compromised. Consequently, research on alfalfa root morphology and health is very important in development of technology for efficient improvement and production of alfalfa. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the root morphology and health of three alfalfa varieties, Algonquin, Golden Queen, and Yellow Flower and to determine relationships among root morphology traits and root health. Yields from these varieties ranged from 5.83 to 43.93 t/ha, total root length ranged from 215.17 to 708.89 mm, root surface area from 124.95 to 468.37 cm², volume from 3.24 to 57.72 cm³, and forks from 1.25 × 10³ to 10.54 × 10³, and tips from 0.65 × 10³ to 3.17 × 10³. Root infestation score was negatively correlated with yield (r = -0.997, P < 0.01), and was positively correlated with all root morphology traits (r = 0.466–0.997, P < 0.01), and yield was negatively associated with root morphology traits (r = -0.755 to -0.998, p < 0.01) with the exception of root tips (r = 0.448, P < 0.01). Results from these analyses indicated that root infestation score was the lowest averaged over age of alfalfa stand in Algonquin. Yield in 2-year old stands was greater in Golden Queen compared to the other two cultivars.

Abstract:Controlled trampling experiments were undertaken to assess impacts of recreation in a sub-alpine environment in an upper-Mekong mountainous protected area in China. Hiking and recreational horse-riding were applied at different trampling intensity to two typical, widespread vegetation types (Carex grassland and low Rhododendron shrubland) and trampling effects were assessed to study vegetation resistance and soil compaction. The results indicate: (1) low shrub vegetation is highly vulnerable to trampling damage while the graminoids-dominated grassland is more resistant; (2) dry soil with low organic matter, which often is found in the shrubland, is more susceptible to compaction than wet soil and (3) horses cause substantially more damage than hikers at equivalent trampling levels. These data are useful to develop a visitor’s management strategy that allows to minimize the impact from recreation on the vegetation.

Abstract:Being inspired in the process of teaching and studying on tourism geography and heritage landscapes, the author attempts to broaden the scope of traditional studies in landscape ecology. Upon reviewing the progress, limitations and boundaries of landscape ecology, he criticizes the negligence of waterscapes by academics. The author further examines some waterscape conservation policy programs practiced by different nations. These include 10 National Seashores, 4 National Lakeshores, 4 National Rivers, 13 National Marine Sanctuaries and 1 Marine National Monument in USA, 13 Marine National Parks, 11 Marine Sanctuaries and 4 multiple use Marine Reserves in the State of Victoria, Australia, 3 Marine Nature Reserves and 43 Heritage Coasts in UK, and 272 National Water Parks in China. Based on these explorations, the author proposes a few hypotheses on waterscape ecology. Finally, he concludes that as one among many sub-disciplines of applied ecology, waterscape ecology can only achieve its full-fledged growth through concerted efforts among academics, and the supports from both governments and non-government organizations. Meanwhile, the site-specific policy practices with the rapid increasing social needs will likely facilitate the development of this infant school. Hopefully, the birth and development of waterscape ecology will contribute to the prosperity of global academics and the maintenance of earth level environmental health.

Abstract:Effects of organophosphorus pesticides including dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos on population growth and sexual reproduction of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus were studied by 3-d population growth and 4-d resting egg production tests. The results showed that all the three organophosphorus pesticides influenced significantly the population growth rate, the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females in the rotifer populations and the resting egg production of the rotifers. Both dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos influenced markedly the mictic rate of the rotifers, but triazophos did not. Compared to the controls, both dichlorvos at 10.0–1000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.01–100.0 μg/L increased the population growth rate, but the reverse was also true for dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L. Chlorpyrifos at 10000.0 μg/L made the rotifers dead after 24-hr exposure. Dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L, and chlorpyrifos at 1000.0 μg/L all increased the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females. Both dichlorvos at 10000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the mictic rate. Dichlorvos at 10.0 μg/L and 100.0 μg/L, and triazophos and chlorpyrifos both at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the resting egg production. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are suitable endpoints for assessing the effects of dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos, and mictic rate is a suitable endpoint for monitoring the effects of dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos on the reproduction of the rotifers. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are more sensitive to dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos than mictic rate.

Abstract:The effects of intercropping of wheat cultivars and oilseed rape on the densities of wheat aphid, Sitobion avenae, and their arthropod natural enemies were evaluated. Three winter wheat cultivars with different resistant levels to S. avenae were used: ‘KOK’ (high resistance), ‘Xiaobaidongmai’ (low resistance) and ‘Hongmanghong’ (susceptible). The results showed that the densities of S. avenae were significantly higher on the monoculture pattern than on either the 8-2 intercropping pattern (eight rows of wheat with two rows of oilseed rape) or the 8-4 intercropping pattern (eight rows of wheat with four rows of oilseed rape). The mean number of predators and the mummy rates of S. avenae were significantly higher in two intercropping patterns than those in the monoculture pattern. The densities of S. avenae, ladybeetles, and mummy rate of S. avenae were significantly different among different wheat cultivars. The highest densities of S. avenae and ladybeetles were found on wheat cultivar Hongmanghong. The lowest densities of S. avenae associated with high mummy rate of S. avenae were found on wheat cultivar Xiaobaidongmai. The results showed that wheat-oilseed rape intercropping conserved more predators and parasitoids than in wheat monoculture fields, and partial resistance of wheat cultivar Xiaobaidongmai had complementary or even synergistic effects on parasitoid of S. avenae.

Abstract:Dense dwarf bamboo population is a structurally and functionally important component in many subalpine forest systems. To characterize the effects of stem density on biomass, carbon and majority nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) distribution pattern, three dwarf bamboo (Fargesia denudata) populations with different stem densities (Dh with 220 ± 11 stems m^-2, Dm with 140 ± 7 stems m^-2, and Dl with 80 ± 4 stems m^-2, respectively) were selected beneath a bamboo-fir (Picea purpurea) forest in Wanglang National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. Leaf, branch, rhizome, root and total biomass of dwarf bamboo increased with the increase of stem density, while carbon and nutrient concentrations in bamboo components decreased. Percentages of below-ground biomass and element stocks to total biomass and stocks decreased with the increase of stem density, whereas above-ground biomass and element stocks exhibited the opposite tendency. Moreover, more above-ground biomass and elements were allocated to higher part in the higher density population. In addition, percentages of culm biomass, above-ground biomass and element stocks below 100 cm culm height (H₁₀₀) increased with the increase of stem density, while percentages of branch and leaf biomass below H₁₀₀ decreased. Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed that root biomass, above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass and total biomass significantly correlated to leaf biomass in H_100-200 and total leaf biomass within high density population, while they significantly correlated to leaf biomass in H_50-150 within low density population. The results suggested that dwarf bamboo performed an efficient adaptive strategy to favor limited resources by altering biomass, carbon and nutrients distribution pattern in the dense population.

Abstract:Reciprocally patchy environments, where the availability of two resources are patchily distributed and negatively correlated in each patch, are common in many ecosystems. Interconnected ramets of clonal plants can specialize in the uptake of locally abundant resources. Ramet pairs of the stoloniferous herb Duchesnea indica were grown in reciprocally patchy environments i.e., one ramet of a pair was grown in the high light but low water patch (high light patch) and the other in the low light but high water patch (high water patch). Biomass allocation pattern (root-shoot ratio), morphological traits (leaf area and root length) and physiological traits (photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content) were altered in a way that potentially enables ramets to enhance the capture of the locally abundant resource (i.e., increase the capture of light resource in the high light patch and of water in the high water patch). As a result,biomass and number of ramets in the connected ramet pairs were greatly improved. Functional specialization of ramets, modified by clonal integration, may have contributed greatly to the growth increase of D. indica in the reciprocally patchy environment.