Warm Temperate Zone Research Articles

Biogeographic Distribution Patterns of Bacteria in Typical Chinese Forest Soils.

Microbes are widely distributed in soils and play a very important role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem services. To understand the biogeographic distribution of forest soil bacteria, we collected 115 soil samples in typical forest ecosystems across eastern China to investigate their bacterial community compositions using Illumina MiSeq high throughput sequencing based on 16S rRNA. We obtained 4,667,656 sequences totally and more than 70% of these sequences were classified into five dominant groups, i.e., Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Planctomycetes (relative abundance >5%). The bacterial diversity showed a parabola shape along latitude and the maximum diversity appeared at latitudes between 33.50°N and 40°N, an area characterized by warm-temperate zones and moderate temperature, neutral soil pH and high substrate availability (soil C and N) from dominant deciduous broad-leaved forests. Pairwise dissimilarity matrix in bacterial community composition showed that bacterial community structure had regional similarity and the latitude of 30°N could be used as the dividing line between southern and northern forest soils. Soil properties and climate conditions (MAT and MAP) greatly accounted for the differences in the soil bacterial structure. Among all soil parameters determined, soil pH predominantly affected the diversity and composition of the bacterial community, and soil pH = 5 probably could be used as a threshold below which soil bacterial diversity might decline and soil bacterial community structure might change significantly. Moreover, soil exchangeable cations, especially Ca2+ (ECa2+) and some other soil variables were also closely related to bacterial community structure. The selected environmental variables (21.11%) explained more of the bacterial community variation than geographic distance (15.88%), indicating that the edaphic properties and environmental factors played a more important role than geographic dispersal limitation in determining the bacterial community structure in Chinese forest soils.

Determination of the Optimal Tilt Angle of Solar Collectors for Different Climates of China

The tilt angle with the horizon (with respect to the ground) of the solar energy system affects the amount of solar radiation received. This paper suggests a simple and universal method to obtain the optimum tilt angles by estimating the monthly mean daily global solar radiation on tilted surfaces facing directly towards the equator, which is based on monthly average daily global solar radiation data produced from Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) data. The monthly, seasonal, and yearly optimum tilt angles for photovoltaic panels are calculated at six stations of different climatic types (Tropical Zone (TZ), Subtropical Zone (SZ), Warm Temperate Zone (WTZ), Mid Temperate Zone (MTZ), Cold Temperate Zone (CTZ) and Tibetan Plateau Zone (TPZ)). The results indicate that changing the monthly, seasonal, and yearly optimum tilt angles causes a significant yearly gain in the solar radiation for the region. In addition, general correlations are generated to estimate the optimum tilt angle of solar collectors at six typical climatic stations of China. The performances of the proposed models are compared using statistical error tests such as the mean absolute bias error (MABE), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the correlation coefficients (R).

Evergreen broadleaf forest transition zone changes in Japan from 1961 to 2008 detected by aerial ortho-photos

In order to detect the distribution change of evergreen broad-leaved trees (EBTs) in a old-growth forest on the transitional zone of cool-temperate and warm-temperate zones, we used the ortho-photo data conversed from the aerial photos. Comparing the crown map of EBTs in the 1-ha verification plot with the ground truth data of individual tree inventory, 14 out of 17 (82%) upper layer trees were found to be visually read on the aerial photo We chose two indices for detecting the distribution change of EBTs, crown number and total crown area. We made crown maps of the 20-ha plot based on ortho-photos in 1961, 1975, 1985, 2003, 2005 and 2008, and calculated crown number and total crown area for each photos. The crown number increased at a rate 0.18/year/ha from 1961 to 2000’s, and total crown area also increased at a rate 0.21% for the 20-ha plot. The total crow area increase was highly probable because errors of area in orthophotos were smaller than secular changes of the area.

Study on ecological cost-effectiveness for the thermal insulation of building external vertical walls in Poland

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is not a new issue. It is a challenge not only in Poland but also in many other European countries, which is proved by the actions and initiatives taken by the European Union. Due to the fact that Poland lies in a warm moderate temperate zone, with transition to the impact of marine and continental climate, the issue of thermal insulation of buildings is important in terms of economy and ecology. The paper proposes a method and an analysis of the ecological cost-effectiveness for the investment involving the thermal insulation of external vertical walls for two different buildings in five climate zones located in Poland. The authors based their study on the life cycle assessment (LCA) technique. The analysis took into account different components, such as: heat sources, thermal insulation and construction materials, and usable areas of the analyzed buildings. Popular building materials on the Polish market, and more, were also included. The studies were performed on two single-family houses with a similar usable area, which are representative on the European market. The most favourable values of ecological cost-effectiveness were obtained among the examined options for most ecological thermal insulation material (eco-fibre), the type of heating with the highest environmental impact (electricity) and the most extreme (cold) climate occurring in Poland. The ecological payback period of thermal insulation investment for the studied variants were obtained in the range 0–6 years. The proposed method proved to be very helpful in assessing various options for thermal insulation investments. It can also be used in other places in the world. It allows to take into account both the environmental and economic aspects of the investment. This method could be useful for designers and energy/environmental auditors.

First record of Sphenarion (Czekanowskiales) with epidermal structures from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China

The genus Sphenarion (Czekanowskiales) was first established for some fossil leaves from the Middle Jurassic Yorkshire flora of England. There are relatively few reports of Sphenarion with epidermal structures in the Mesozoic floras of Eurasia since its establishment. In this paper we describe a new species, Sphenarion angustae n. sp., from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation near Daohugou Village, Inner Mongolia, China. This is the first record of the genus Sphenarion (Czekanowskiales) from the Daohugou Biota and from China based upon the gross leaf morphology and the epidermal structures. The new species has 7–8 persistent, linear leaves clustered on a short shoot. The amphistomatic leaves, with distinctive stomatal and nonstomatal zones on both upper and lower epidermis are simple or mostly fork once. The new species provides new morphological and epidermal data and extends stratigraphic and geographic distribution of Sphenarion in Eurasia. Meanwhile, the new discovery is significant in understanding the floral composition, paleoclimate, and paleoenviroment of the Daohugou Biota. Analysis of the cuticular structures presented here and preliminary examination of other associated plant groups suggest that the new species grew in an area with a seasonal warm and humid climate in a warm-temperate zone.

The mangroves of South Africa: An ecophysiological review

Mangroves are unique, highly productive forests that interface between marine and terrestrial environments in protected and sheltered habitats of tropical and temperate regions. In Africa, mangroves reach their southern distributional limit in the warm temperate zone at Nahoon Estuary (32°56′ S) in South Africa. Temperate mangroves are less diverse, slower growing and of smaller stature than those in the tropics. This review gives an overview of mangrove distribution in South Africa and factors that constrain their spread. This is followed by an ecophysiological overview of mangrove adaptations to survive in an intertidal environment characterized by heterogeneous salinity, waterlogging and low nutrients. These adaptations play critical roles in salt exclusion, maintenance of low tissue water potentials and conservative water and nutrient use. Adaptations range from macro to micro levels and include root, stem and leaf morphology. It also discusses characteristics of mangroves at higher latitudes that distinguish them from their tropical equivalents. The effects of anthropogenic pollution, climate change and sea level rise, as well as local threats in South Africa are also discussed. This review also includes a detailed list of research conducted on South African mangroves and makes suggestions for future work.

Population expansion of a tropical seagrass (Halophila decipiens) in the southwest Atlantic (Brazil)

The seagrass Halophila decipiens (Ostenfeld) was recently discovered as mono-specific meadows at a number of sites within the São Sebastião Channel (São Paulo State, Brazil). This represents a 60km extension to the southernmost recorded limit of this genus in the southwest Atlantic and may represent a poleward expansion of this tropical species into temperate seas. Meadows comprised patches of plantlets ranging in diameter from <1m to >50m; with paired leaf counts ranging from 150 to 2034/m−2 and estimates of biomass ranging from 8.8– 35.7gDWm−2. Across sites, biomass estimates and leaf counts were negatively correlated with depth; while all measured aspects of morphology (i.e. leaf length/width and petiole length) were greater at deeper sites suggesting a possible effect of light limitation. In a subsequent mesocosm experiment testing the physiological effects of SST from the tropics (Bahia state) and warm temperate zone (São Paulo state) H. decipiens returned maximum electron transport rates (ETRmax) after 14days that were 34% lower when exposed to 20°C compared to 27°C (corroborating its tropical affinity), but returned similar effective quantum yields (ΔF/Fm′; 0.695–0.713) attesting to the phenotypic plasticity of the species. Overall we show that the newly discovered populations can tolerate the reduced irradiance and low temperatures of the southwest Atlantic, a trait that may have implications for the broader trend of climate mediated range shifts.

The climate reconstruction in Shandong Peninsula, northern China, during the last millennium based on stalagmite laminae together with a comparison to &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;δ&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;18&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;O

Abstract. Stalagmite ky1, with a length of 75 mm and the upper part (from top to 42.769 mm depth) consisting of 678 laminae, was collected from Kaiyuan Cave in the coastal area of Shandong Peninsula, northern China, located in a warm temperate zone in the East Asia monsoon area. Based on high-precision dating with the U–230Th technique and continuous counting of laminae, the 1st and 678th laminae have been confirmed to be AD 1894 ± 20 and 1217 ± 20 from top to bottom, respectively. By the measurement of laminae thickness and δ18O ratios, we haved obtained the time series data of thickness of laminae and δ18O ratios from AD 1217 ± 20 to 1894 ± 20, analyzed the climatic–environmental meaning of variations in the thickness of laminae, which have a good correspondence with the cumulative departure curve of the drought–waterlog index in the historical period. The results show that, in the ∼ 678 years from AD 1217 ± 20 to 1894 ± 20, both the thickness of the laminae and the degree of fluctuation in the thickness of the laminae of stalagmite ky1 have obvious stages of variation and are completely synchronized with the contemporaneous intensity of the summer monsoons and precipitation as time changed. There is a negative correlation between the thickness of the laminae and the summer monsoon intensity and precipitation. There is a positive correlation between the degree of fluctuation in the thickness of the laminae and both the intensity of the summer monsoons and the precipitation. Therefore, for the Kaiyuan Cave in the coastal area of both the warm temperate zone and the East Asia monsoon area, the variations in the thickness of the laminae are not only related to the change in the climatic factors themselves but also related to the degree of climatic stability. In the coastal area belonging to the warm temperate zone and the East Asia monsoon area, the climate change between the LIA (Little Ice Age) and the MWP (Medieval Warm Period), in addition to less precipitation and low temperatures (a type of dry and cold climate), also shows an obviously decreasing trend in the degree of climatic stability.

Response of phytoliths in Phragmites australis to environmental factors in northeast China

Accuracy of paleovegetation reconstruction and understanding of phytolith formation would both be improved by further study of phytolith size in the Phragmites australis under different environmental conditions. Leaves of P. australis were collected from 11 sampling sites in northeast China with differences in temperature, precipitation and habitat. Principal component analysis of environmental factors (climatic and edaphic) indicated that the annual averages of temperature and precipitation were the main factors influencing phytolith size. Moreover, three-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) further showed that phytolith size differed significantly under conditions of different temperature or precipitation gradients, whereas habitat differences had little effect. The changes in phytolith size with temperature differed in the humid, semi-humid and semi-arid areas of northeast China. In the humid and semi-humid areas, moving from the temperate to the warm temperate zone, increasing temperature reduced phytolith size; whereas in the semi-arid area, phytolith became larger with increasing temperature. In the warm temperate and temperate zones, the changes of phytolith size with precipitation showed the same trend—moving from the semi-arid to semi-humid to humid areas, as precipitation increased, phytolith grew larger. Finally, ANOVA revealed that phytoliths were also sensitive to habitat. These findings demonstrated that the size of P. australis phytoliths was sensitive to environmental factors: for regional research, the annual averages of temperature and precipitation were the major factors influencing size, but in the same climate district, habitat differences seemed to also have a significant impact on phytolith size. Consequently, phytolith analysis has potential utility in the study of global climate change, palaeoenvironment reconstruction, and environmental conservation and restoration.

Which agricultural management interventions are most influential on soil organic carbon (using time series data)?

Loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) from agricultural land is identified as one of the major threats to soils, as it influences both fertility and the production of ecosystem services from agriculture. Losses of SOC across regions are often determined by monitoring in different land use systems. Results from agricultural field experiments can reveal increasing SOC stocks after implementation of specific management practices compared to a control, though in time series experiments the relative rate of change is often negative and implying an overall loss. Long-term agricultural field experiments are indispensable for quantifying absolute changes in SOC stocks under different management regimes. Since SOC responses are seldom linear over time, time series data from these experiments are particularly valuable. This systematic review is based on studies reporting time series data collated in a recently completed systematic map on the topic restricted to the warm temperate climate zone and the snow climate zone. These 53 studies were identified and selected systematically according to CEE guidelines. An update of the original search for studies will be repeated using Web of Science and Google Scholar to include newly published academic and grey literature in the time since the original search was performed in September 2013. Studies will be subject to critical appraisal of the internal and external validity, followed by full data extraction (meta-data describing study settings and quantitative study results). Where possible, studies will be included in a quantitative synthesis using time series meta-analytical approaches. The implications of the meta-analytical findings will be discussed in terms of policy, practice and research along with a discussion of the nature of the evidence base.

How does tillage intensity affect soil organic carbon? A systematic review protocol

Abstract Background Soils contain the greatest terrestrial carbon (C) pool on the planet. Since approximately 12 % of soil C is held in cultivated soils, management of these agricultural areas has a huge potential to affect global carbon cycling; acting sometimes as a sink but also as a source. Tillage is one of the most important agricultural practices for soil management and has been traditionally undertaken to mechanically prepare soils for seeding and minimize effects of weeds. It has been associated with many negative impacts on soil quality, most notably a reduction in soil organic carbon (SOC), although still a matter of considerable debate, depending on factors such as depth of measurement, soil type, and tillage method. No tillage or reduced intensity tillage are frequently proposed mitigation measures for preservation of SOC and improvement of soil quality, for example for reducing erosion. Whilst several reviews have demonstrated benefits to C conservation of no till agriculture over intensive tillage, the general picture for reduced tillage intensity is unclear. This systematic review proposes to synthesise an extensive body of evidence, previously identified through a systematic map. Methods This systematic review is based on studies concerning tillage collated in a recently completed systematic map on the impact of agricultural management on SOC restricted to the warm temperate climate zone (i.e. boreo-temperate). These 311 studies were identified and selected systematically according to CEE guidelines. An update of the original search will be undertaken to identify newly published academic and grey literature in the time since the original search was performed in September 2013. Studies will be critically appraised for their internal and external validity, followed by full data extraction (meta-data describing study settings and quantitative study results). Where possible, studies will be included in meta-analyses examining the effect of tillage reduction (‘moderate’ (i.e. shallow) and no tillage relative to ‘intensive’ tillage methods such as mouldboard ploughing, where soil is turned over throughout the soil profile). The implications of the findings will be discussed in terms of policy, practice and research along with a discussion of the nature of the evidence base.

The Pathophysiology, Ecology and Epidemiology of Haemonchus contortus Infection in Small Ruminants.

The parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus occurs commonly in small ruminants, and it is an especially significant threat to the health and production of sheep and goats in tropical and warm temperate zones. The main signs of disease (haemonchosis) relate to its blood-feeding activity, leading to anaemia, weakness and frequently to deaths, unless treatment is provided. Due to the high biotic potential, large burdens of H.contortus may develop rapidly when environmental conditions favour the free-living stages, and deaths may occur with little prior warning. More chronic forms of haemonchosis, resulting in reduced animal production and eventually deaths, occur with smaller persistent infections, especially in situations of prolonged, poor nutrition. The global distribution of the main haemonchosis-endemic zones is consistent with the critical requirements of the egg and larval stages of H. contortus for moisture and moderate to relatively warm temperatures, but the seasonal propensity for hypobiosis (inhibition of the fourth-stage larvae within the host) largely explains the common, though sporadic, outbreaks of haemonchosis in arid and colder environments. The wide climatic distribution may also reflect the adaptation of local isolates to less favourable ecological conditions, while an apparent increase in the prevalence of outbreaks in environments not previously considered endemic for haemonchosis - especially cold, temperate zones - may be attributable to climatic changes. Although the risk of haemonchosis varies considerably on a local level, even where H. contortus is endemic, the extensive range of ecological investigations provides a sound basis for predictions of the relative geographical and seasonal risk in relation to climatic conditions.

What are the effects of agricultural management on soil organic carbon in boreo-temperate systems?

Abstract Background Soils contain the largest stock of organic carbon (C) in terrestrial ecosystems and changes in soil C stocks may significantly affect atmospheric CO2. A significant part of soil C is present in cultivated soils that occupy about 35 % of the global land surface. Agricultural intensification has led to practices that may decrease soil organic carbon (SOC), and agricultural management has the potential to be a powerful tool for climate change mitigation and increased soil fertility through SOC sequestration. Here, we systematically map evidence relating to the impacts of agricultural management on SOC in arable systems of the warm temperate and snow climate zones (subset of temperate and continental climates: Köppen–Geiger Classification). Methods Seventeen academic citation databases, 3 search engines and 25 organisational websites were searched for literature (academic and grey) using search strings translated into a range of languages relevant to the included geographical scope of the topic. Stakeholders were also contacted with requests for evidence. Bibliographic checking of 127 relevant reviews was undertaken to check for missing articles. Screening for relevance against predefined inclusion criteria was undertaken at title, abstract and full text levels according to a published protocol. All relevant studies were coded in a meta-database describing the citation, study settings, methods and quantitative data available (without extraction of the study findings). A basic critical appraisal of included studies was also performed. A geographical information system (GIS) presenting the map database on a physical, online map was also produced. Results A total of 735 studies from 553 articles was included in the systematic map database. Studies investigated one or more of five broad categories of interventions: amendments (286 studies), crop rotations (238), fertilisers (307), tillage (306), and multiple interventions (55). Studies were identified from across the includible climate zones, with the notable underrepresentation from Russia. The majority of studies employed only point sampling of SOC, low levels of true spatial replication and moderate study periods (i.e. 10–20 years). Missing key methodological information was found in 28 % of studies. Conclusions Long-term study sites identified in this map provide a useful addition to existing databases of long-term experiments (LTEs). The identification of knowledge gaps, such as studies from Russia, also identify a need for improved cataloguing or reporting of existing and on-going research. This systematic map database represents a useful resource for decision-makers wishing to identify knowledge gaps warranting further primary research, knowledge gluts warranting further secondary research, and deficiencies and best practice in research methodology. In addition to the systematic map database, we have also produced two further resources: (1) a database of LTE sites investigating agricultural management and SOC, and (2) a database of reviews and meta-analyses. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review or map that utilises a GIS for presentation of an evidence base, which we believe substantially increases the utility of the map outputs.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution Differences Among Phytoliths of Phragmites Communis in Northeast China

Phragmites communis phytoliths were extracted from the xerophytic habitat of 12 sampling sites in northeast (NE) China during June–October in 2011 and 2012. The changes of P. communis phytolith concentrations in different temperature zones and growth stages were used to reveal the ecological environmental significance of P. communis phytoliths. The purpose of the study is to provide a scientific reference for quantitative reconstruction of paleoenvironment and studies of phytolith formation. The main phytolith types extracted from the 12 sampling sites and different growth stages were identical; however, the phytolith concentrations differed markedly. In NE China, from the temperate to the warm temperate zone, as temperature increased, the saddle phytoliths, bulliform phytoliths and the silicified stomata concentrations all increased, whereas the lanceolate phytolith concentration decreased. Moreover, in the humid, semi-humid and semi-arid areas, there were different responses of P. communis phytolith concentrations to temperature. Consequently, the spatial results showed that P. communis phytolith concentrations in NE China were closely related to temperature, which enabled inference of the change in temperature from phytolith concentration; however, they were also somewhat affected by humidity. During June–October, the temporal variation results of P. communis phytolith concentrations revealed that there were high lanceolate and bulliform phytolith concentrations in September or October; whereas the saddle phytolith concentration was high in July or August, and the maximum concentration for silicified stomata was in July. These findings may improve the understanding of phytolith formation, and provide useful information to further interpret phytolith assemblages in sediments.

Changes of annual accumulated temperature over Southern China during 1960–2011

The spatial and temporal variations of ≥10°C annual accumulated temperature (AAT10) were analyzed by using the linear trend line method, cumulative anomaly method and the multiple linear regression model (MLRM) interpolation method based on the daily meteorological observation data from 104 meteorological stations in Southern China and surrounding 39 meteorological stations from 1960 to 2011. The results show that: (1) From time scale point of view, the climatic trend of the AAT10 increased with an average of 7.54°C/decade in Southern China since 1960. The area of AAT10 8000°C increased from 1960 to 2011. (2) From spatial scale point of view, the AAT10 in Southern China reduced with increasing latitude and reduced with increasing altitude. The proportion of the area with 5000°C 8000°C was the least. Climate trend rate of the AAT10 at 99% of the meteorological stations was greater than zero, which indicated that the AAT10 increased significantly in the central Yunnan province, southern Guangdong province as well as Hainan Island. (3) Comparison of period A (1960–1989) and period B (1980–2011) with the change of temperature zones shows that the boundaries of cool temperate zone, mid-temperate zone and warm temperate zone shifted northward and shrank westward. The northern boundary of north subtropical zone and mid-subtropical zone shifted northward gradually by over 0.5° and 0.5° latitude, respectively. The western part of northern boundary of south subtropical zone and marginal tropical zone shifted northward by 0.2° and 0.4° latitude, respectively. The change of temperature zones was expanded to high altitude and latitude. (4) The increase of the AAT10 is conducive to the production of tropical crops planted, which will increase the planting area that was suitable for tropical crops, and expand the planting boundaries to high latitude and high altitude.

Long-term soil transplant simulating climate change with latitude significantly alters microbial temporal turnover.

To understand soil microbial community stability and temporal turnover in response to climate change, a long-term soil transplant experiment was conducted in three agricultural experiment stations over large transects from a warm temperate zone (Fengqiu station in central China) to a subtropical zone (Yingtan station in southern China) and a cold temperate zone (Hailun station in northern China). Annual soil samples were collected from these three stations from 2005 to 2011, and microbial communities were analyzed by sequencing microbial 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons using Illumina MiSeq technology. Our results revealed a distinctly differential pattern of microbial communities in both northward and southward transplantations, along with an increase in microbial richness with climate cooling and a corresponding decrease with climate warming. The microbial succession rate was estimated by the slope (w value) of linear regression of a log-transformed microbial community similarity with time (time–decay relationship). Compared with the low turnover rate of microbial communities in situ (w=0.046, P<0.001), the succession rate at the community level was significantly higher in the northward transplant (w=0.058, P<0.001) and highest in the southward transplant (w=0.094, P<0.001). Climate warming lead to a faster succession rate of microbial communities as well as lower species richness and compositional changes compared with in situ and climate cooling, which may be related to the high metabolic rates and intense competition under higher temperature. This study provides new insights into the impacts of climate change on the fundamental temporal scaling of soil microbial communities and microbial phylogenetic biodiversity.

Analysis of epidemiology characteristics of norovirus among diarrheal outpatients in 27 provinces in China, 2009-2013

To investigate the epidemiology characteristics of norovirus among diarrheal outpatients in China. Diarrhea cases were monitored at emergency/outpatient departments at 173 hospitals in 27 provinces of China, with clinical and epidemiological data, and fecal specimens collected and sent to 58 network-laboratories to detect norovirus by RT-PCR method, and to analyze the positive rate of norovirus in various regions, population and time during 2009-2013. 11.6% of the 34 031 diarrheal cases under surveillance were found with norovirus. Age group of 6-23 month-old children and that of people over 45 years old were found with the highest positive percentage, 13.7% and 12.4% respectively. Positive percentage of norovirus peaks in autumn and winter in a year; it peaks in mid-temperate zones (10.7%) and warm-temperate zones (11.6%) in winter. It peaks in sub-tropical zones in autumn (14.3%). The most prevalent genogroups detected were norovirus G II, accounting for 89.9% of identified strains. Norovirus affects all ages and was most prevalent in children and the elderly among diarrhea outpatients. Norovirus' positive percentage showed strong seasonal pattern, and peaks at different times of a year in different climate zones of China. Since no effective preventive measures existed, further study on norovirus epidemiology and intervention strategies should be conducted in future.

Adaptive genetic variation in the smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria Scop.) is driven by precipitation

The landscape genetics of a widespread and locally adaptated species increases the understanding of the adaptive evolutionary process of local flora and vegetation. In this study, we selected Cotinus coggygria, which is widespread and locally adaptated species in China's warm-temperate zone, to investigate its landscape genetic pattern. We used eight microsatellite loci to examine the adaptive genetic variations of C. coggygria. A total of 43 microsatellite alleles were genotyped in 142 individual plants from 16 wild populations. The data demonstrated significant population differentiation within C. coggygria, which was caused by geographical distance, human activities, and precipitation. Five ecologically relevant microsatellite alleles, which were all related to the precipitation, were identified by association analysis. Our results indicate that precipitation is an important factor that drives adaptive genetic differentiation in C. coggygria.

Monitoring Landscape Changes in Japan Using Classification of Modis Data Combined with a Landscape Transformation Sere (LTS) Model

Abstract Japan, with over 75% forest cover, is one of the most heavily forested countries in the world. Various types of climax forest are distributed according to latitude and altitude. At the same time, human intervention in Japan has historically been intensive, and many forest habitats show the influence of various levels of disturbance. Furthermore, Japanese landscapes are changing rapidly, and a system of efficient monitoring is needed. The aim of this research was to identify major historical trends in Japanese landscape change and to develop a system for identifying and monitoring patterns of landscape change at the national level. To provide a base for comparison, Warmth Index (WI) climatic data was digitalized and utilized to map potential climax vegetation for all of Japan. Extant Land Use Information System (LUIS) data were then modified and digitalized to generate national level Land Use/Land Cover (LU/LC) distribution maps for 1900, 1950 and 1985. In addition, MODIS data for 2001 acquired by the Tokyo University of Information Sciences were utilized for remote LU/LC classification using an unsupervised method on multi-temporal composite data. Eight classification categories were established using the ISODATA (cluster analyses) method; alpine plant communities, evergreen coniferous forest, evergreen broad-leaved forest, deciduous broad-leaved forest, mixed forest, arable land (irrigated rice paddy, non-irrigated, grassland), urban area, river and marsh. The results of the LUIS analyses and MODIS classifications were interpreted in terms of a Landscape Transformation Sere model assuming that under increasing levels of human disturbance the landscape will change through a series of stages. The results showed that overall forest cover in Japan has actually increased over the century covered by the data; from 72.1% in 1900 to 76.9% in 2001. Comparison of the actual vegetation and the potential vegetation as predicted by WI, however, indicated that in many areas the climax vegetation has been replaced by secondary forests such as conifer timber plantations. This trend was especially strong in the warm and mid temperate zones of western Japan. This research also demonstrated that classification of moderate resolution remote sensing data, interpreted within a LTS framework, can be an effective tool for efficient and repeat monitoring of landscape changes at the national level. In the future, the authors plan to continue utilizing this approach to track rapidly occurring changes in Japanese landscapes at the national level.

Anatomical investigation on the appendicular skeleton of the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Introduction: The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus. Cattle egret is popular for its role in the bio-control of cattle parasites and land pests. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on five adult, apparently healthy, cattle egrets. The birds were euthanized and the skeletons were prepared by the cold maceration method. Results: The appendicular skeleton of the cattle egret consists of the pectoral (shoulder) girdle and appendage, and pelvic girdle and appendages. The pectoral girdle comprises the long flat scapula, coracoid bone, and the united paired clavicles. Canalis triosseum is a canal formed by the attachment of the three bones of the pectoral girdle. The furcula formed fi brous connection with the sternum. The radius and ulna have the same length. The wrist comprises two carpal bones, carpometacarpus and three digits. The pubic bones are not fused ventrally. The pes consists of tibiotarsus, tarsometatarsus and four pedal digits. The tibiotarsus is longer than the femur. The spur is not found in the male bird. Conclusion: The skeleton of the cattle egret has a unique conformation that accommodates its ability to flight as well as being an insectivorous animal.