Assessing the ecosystem effects of the abalone Haliotis midae from its diet and foraging behaviour     

《African Journal of Marine Science》2013,35(2):205-214

The South African abalone Haliotis midae is commercially exploited and seriously threatened by overfishing. This not only affects the species itself but potentially the functioning of the ecosystem because of associated changes in community structure. The nature of effects that can follow the loss or reduction of a species depends in part on its position in the foodweb and its feeding behaviour. To assess the ecosystem effects of the adults and subadults of this previously abundant herbivore on the south-west coast of South Africa, we studied their diet and mode of food procurement by (a) in-field observations of adult and subadult abalone, (b) analysis of the gut contents of adults, (c) comparison of diet with the availability of algae, and (d) a mesocosm experiment on subadult feeding behaviour. Both field and dietary studies showed that adults subsist mainly by trapping drift kelp, but also occasionally graze on attached algae such as Plocamium spp., and feed in a manner that is highly selective, with drift kelp constituting 95–98% of the diet, and several species of common algae being avoided. In the mesocosm experiment, subadults preferentially fed on drift kelp, but emerged at night to a greater extent to graze on microflora if no drift material was available. Their propensity to emerge was, however, reduced if the rock lobster Jasus lalandii was present. Collectively, this evidence indicates that any ecosystem effects that subadults and adults of H. midae have as grazers will be weak because they feed mainly by trapping drift material, and the frequency of grazing and the incidence of consumption of attached algae are low.  相似文献   

Insights into zooplankton‐cyanobacteria interactions derived from enclosure studies     

Carolyn W. Burns 《新西兰海洋与淡水研究杂志》2013,47(3):477-482

Few workers have used enclosures specifically to study interactions between zoo‐plankton and cyanobacteria. Differences among studies in enclosure size, nutrient level, plankton abundance and species composition, presence or absence of fish, and length of experiments make generalisations difficult. Zooplankton had no direct effect on the growth of ungrazed cyanobacteria (Anabaena flos‐aquae, Aphanizomenon flos‐aquae, large Microcystis colonies) in short‐term (<5 days) and long‐term (> 1 month) enclosure studies. When large cyanobacteria were abundant, some Daphnia spp. snowed reduced reproduction and development. When large grazers were abundant they suppressed the growth of edible, colonial cyanobacteria (Aphanizomenon elenkinii, small Microcystis colonies). By altering the ambient light and nutrient environment, large zooplankton may suppress cyanobacteria; evidence for the importance of grazers in promoting cyanobacterial dominance by removing competing phytoplankton species is equivocal. Zooplankton may suppress nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria through ammonia excretion and may promote a change in dominance from diatoms to cyanobacteria through recycling phosphorus but not silicon.  相似文献   

季节性放牧对黄河源区高寒草甸植被耗水量及水分利用效率的影响   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

贺慧丹  杨永胜  祝景彬  李红琴  未亚西  李英年 《冰川冻土》2017,39(1):130-139

研究季节性放牧对植被耗水量、水分利用效率的影响,是探索如何提高高寒草甸水源涵养能力的重要内容之一。以青藏高原三江源高寒草甸季节性放牧样地与自然放牧样地为研究对象,分析了季节性放牧和自然放牧条件下高寒草甸植被耗水量、水分盈亏量、水分利用效率（WUE）的动态变化及其与环境因素的关系。结果表明：在植被生长季（5-9月）,季节性放牧样地和自然放牧样地植被耗水量在5月开始增加, 7月达最高,分别为160.94 mm和145.96 mm,季节性放牧样地植被总耗水量（395.52 mm）比自然放牧样地（348.14 mm）高13.61%。生长季平均来看,季节性放牧样地和自然放牧样地5-9月水分正盈余,分别为13.58 mm和70.96 mm,但在植物生长旺季（8月）略有亏缺。季节性放牧样地和自然放牧样地植被耗水量均与降水量呈弱的正相关关系。季节性放牧样地植被地上净初级生产量（ANPP）、地下净初级生产量（BNPP）和总的净初级生产量（NPP）比自然放牧样地分别高32.54 g·m^-2、5.96 g·m^-2、38.50 g·m^-2,季节性放牧样地ANPP的水分利用效率（WUE）比自然放牧样地高53.85%,而BNPP、NPP的WUE比自然放牧样地分别低13.06%和9.97%。这表明,季节性放牧可提高植被生产量和耗水量,但对高寒草甸WUE的影响因放牧方式不同导致地上、地下生物量分配格局不同而有所差异。  相似文献   

综合物探在博格达山前古牧地复杂构造中的应用     

索孝东 《物探与化探》2009,33(6)

准噶尔盆地南缘古牧地地区具有丰富的油气勘探潜力,但由于中深层地震成像存在盲区,长期以来对古牧地构造特征认识不清,制约了油气勘探进程.笔者采用高精度重磁和电法CEMP综合物探技术对古牧地地区构造特征进行了研究,取得了有价值的新认识.研究成果表明,古牧地构造为博格达山前褶皱冲断带的前锋构造,受阶梯状断裂控制.古牧地构造纵向上具多层构造特征,其中浅层为紧闭型逆冲倒转背斜,中层为受阶状逆冲断层控制的屋脊状断块,深层为潜山披覆型冲断背斜.重力异常显示古牧地背斜西围斜可能是一完整的背斜构造,古牧地中深层构造和古牧地背斜西围斜评价为有利的油气勘探目标.  相似文献   

THERMALLY DRIVEN SORPTION,DESORPTION, AND MOISTURE MIGRATION IN THE ACTIVE LAYER IN CENTRAL ALASKA     

Samuel I. Outcalt  Kenneth M. Hinkel 《自然地理学》2013,34(1):77-90

Combined observations of hourly soil temperature and electric potential, the latter converted to a relative index of soil-water solute concentration, yield information on the physical chemistry of near-surface frost effects. Solute concentration near the descending 0° C isotherm in the refreezing active layer above permafrost is divided into three distinct zones: (1) an ion-enriched zone in the unfrozen active layer that precedes the penetrating freezing front; (2) an ion-purified desorbed zone at the freezing front that is the source region of the downward-expelled ions and water; and (3) a hydrologically isolated subfreezing zone of enhanced solute concentration located above the freezing isotherm. High-frequency fluctuations superimposed on these general patterns are traceable to vapor migration driven by surface thermal fluctuations. These effects diminish at temperatures below about -0.4° C, as permeability decreases with soil-ice formation. The combined temperature-solute concentration time series is used to develop sorption curves for the frozen organic and mineral soils, and indicates that approximately half of the pore water present in the mineral soil at -0.4° C had not been converted to ice at -6° C. Gradual soil desiccation over winter appears to result from outward vapor diffusion, possibly through soil cracks. [Key words: Alaska, active layer, frozen ground, soil temperature, soil water, permafrost.]  相似文献   

Growth and grazing rate dynamics of major phytoplankton groups in an oligotrophic coastal site   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Andrés Gutiérrez-Rodríguez  Mikel Latasa  Renate Scharek  Ramon Massana  Gemma Vila  Josep M. Gasol 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2011

There has been more attention to phytoplankton dynamics in nutrient-rich waters than in oligotrophic ones thus requiring the need to study the dynamics and responses in oligotrophic waters. Accordingly, phytoplankton community in Blanes Bay was overall dominated by Prymnesiophyceae, remarkably constant throughout the year (31 ± 13% Total chlorophyll a, Tchl a) and Bacillariophyta with a more episodic appearance (20 ± 23% Tchl a). Prasinophyceae and Synechococcus contribution became substantial in winter (Prasinophyceae = 30% Tchl a) and summer (Synechococcus = 35% Tchl a). Phytoplankton growth and grazing mortality rates for major groups were estimated by dilution experiments in combination with high pressure liquid chromatography and flow cytometry carried out monthly over two years. Growth rates of total phytoplankton (range = 0.30–1.91 d⁻¹) were significantly higher in spring and summer (μ > 1.3 d⁻¹) than in autumn and winter (μ ∼ 0.65 d⁻¹) and showed a weak dependence on temperature but a significant positive correlation with day length. Microzooplankton grazing (range = 0.03–1.4 d⁻¹) was closely coupled to phytoplankton growth. Grazing represented the main process for loss of phytoplankton, removing 60 ± 34% (±SD) of daily primary production and 70 ± 48% of Tchl a stock. Chla synthesis was highest during the Bacillarophyceae-dominated spring bloom (Chl a_synt = 2.3 ± 1.6 μg Chl a L⁻¹ d⁻¹) and lowest during the following post-bloom conditions dominated by Prymnesiophyceae (Chl a_synt = 0.23 ± 0.08 μg Chl a L⁻¹ d⁻¹). This variability was smoothed when expressed in carbon equivalents mainly due to the opposite dynamics of C:chl a (range = 11–135) and chl a concentration (range = 0.07–2.0 μg chl a L⁻¹). Bacillariophyta and Synechococcus contribution to C fluxes was higher than to biomass because of their fast-growth rate. The opposite was true for Prymnesiophyceae.  相似文献   

Effect of grazing on soil-water content in semiarid rangelands of southeast Idaho     

K.T. Weber  B.S. Gokhale 《Journal of Arid Environments》2011,75(5):464-470

Although numerous factors influence soil-water content, it is considered a key indicator of rangeland health. This paper investigates the effect of grazing on soil-water content using three treatments within the same soil association. The treatments, simulated holistic planned grazing (SHPG), rest-rotation (RESTROT), and total rest (TREST) applied stocking rates of 36, 6, and 0 animal days/hectare respectively. Soil-water content was measured continuously from 2006 to 2008 using 36 capacitance sensors. Statistical analyses revealed differences in percent volumetric-water content (%VWC) and in all treatments, the SHPG pasture had the highest %VWC. Mixed procedures models indicate strong environmental and treatment effects as explanatory variables for the observed difference in %VWC. Although results of vegetation cover analyses indicated no difference in percent shrub cover in the two production pastures (SHPG and RESTROT), percent litter cover differed in the latter years of this study. It was concluded that in addition to a variety of other factors, management decisions (grazing and rest) can have substantial influence upon soil-water content and that soil-water content can vary substantially as a result of animal impact and the duration of grazing.  相似文献   

基于幂函数法则对放牧梯度上种群空间异质性的定量分析   总被引：3，自引：1，他引：2  

乌云娜  张凤杰  盐见正卫  胡高娃 《中国沙漠》2011,30(3):689-696

 在呼伦贝尔草原的克氏针茅群落选择轻牧、中牧、重牧3个不同的放牧梯度,沿着50 m样线设置100个50 cm×50 cm的L型样方,每个L型样方内划分4个25 cm×25 cm的S型样方,以物种出现的频度（p）作为植被空间分布的观测指标,采用幂函数法则对放牧梯度上草原植物群落物种的空间异质性进行了定量研究。结果表明,在不同放牧强度下,种类结构发生明显改变,轻度放牧区羊草和星状刺骨藜、中度放牧区藜和糙隐子草、重度放牧区猪毛菜和多根葱具有高的出现频度,群落物种数随着放牧压力的增大而减小。整体来看,放牧梯度上物种的空间分布呈现明显的聚集分布,物种空间异质性（δi）随着放牧强度的增大而增加,拟合于幂函数规律曲线;群落的空间异质性（δc）随着轻牧-中牧-重牧放牧演替的进展呈现降低趋势,种群个体分布呈现片断化特征。在群落内部各个种群具有不同的异质化分布特点,物种结构主要表现出密集型种群和疏散型种群两大类型。这些趋势与种群的繁殖策略、生活史对策、群落的再生产策略等生理与生态特性密切相关。  相似文献   

RESTORATION OF SHEEP TRANSHUMANCE IN THE EBRO VALLEY,ARAGON, SPAIN*     

PATRICK O'FLANAGAN  TEODORO LASANTA MARTÍNEZ  MARÍA PAZ ERREA ABAD 《Geographical review》2011,101(4):556-575

For centuries, sheep transhumance has connected the Spanish highlands with the lowlands, creating a livestock system with important social, economic, cultural, and landscape effects. About 5 million sheep were involved in transhumant movements in the mid‐1700s, but transhumance started to decay in the nineteenth century and almost disappeared in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1980s, transhumant sheep did not number more than 25,000 in the study area; at present the number exceeds 134,000, with herders practicing both descending and ascending transhumance. In this article we provide information not only on current numbers of transhumant sheep but also on the origins and destinations of the flocks. We also confirm that the reputation of transhumance, once regarded as quaint and antiquated, has been enhanced by the ecosystem services it provides and by the cultural and heritage continuities it renders.  相似文献   

The effect of burning and sheep grazing on soil water composition in a blanket bog: evidence for soil structural changes?     

F. Worrall  J. K. Adamson 《水文研究》2008,22(14):2531-2541

This study considers the impact of managed rotational burning of vegetation and sheep grazing upon the composition of soil waters within an upland peat soil. The study has considered soil water compositions from a complete factorial design of treatment plots where three different burning treatments were considered in replication with grazing and no grazing. All plots were sampled across a complete year with three dipwells in each plot. The study included aluminium (Al), iron, calcium, sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium, sulphate, chloride (Cl^?), bromide, fluoride, phosphate (PO )and nitrate; and in order to clarify the nature of the results, the pH, conductivity and dissolved organic carbon were also considered, but the major results for these are reported elsewhere. The study finds: (1) Ca, Na, Mg and PO concentrations are significantly lower on all burnt plots, with only Al concentration being significantly higher on burnt plots. (2) Only Cl^? showed any significant changes (a decrease) with the presence of sheep grazing, and then only when plots were also burnt. (3) A principal component analysis shows that the composition of most soil waters can be described by rainwater and soil water components, but in unburnt plots a base‐rich, high ionic strength water is sometimes present. The study suggests that burning, but not grazing, caused significant changes in soil water composition leading to increased interaction between incoming rainwaters and the peat soil but led to loss of interaction with deeper waters. However, no evidence was found for structural change in the soils even after long term (50 years) grazing and burning management. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献