The earth is now facing the land degradation due to human disturbance, natural habitats were converted to rural and agricultural areas in order to fulfill the increasing demand of human population. The deforestation of Picea crassifolia (Qinghai spruce) forest at Qilian Mts is an example of such disturbance. P. crassifolia is an ecologically and hydrologically important plant species in the northwestern arid area of China. However, the forests have been intensively and extensively deforested. In order to restore the human-disturbed ecosystems, the spatial distribution of P. crassifolia needs to be delineated. This study employed Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction model (GARP) and Maximum entropy model (Maxent) and four environmental variables (mean temperature of the warmest quarter, precipitation of the wettest quarter, annual solar radiation, topographic wetness index) to predict the potential distribution of P. crassifolia in Qilian Mts. Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction model (GARP) produces a model of species niches in geographic space based on heterogeneous rule-sets. Maximum entropy model (Maxent) focuses on fitting a probability distribution for occurrence based on the idea that the best explanation to unknown phenomena will maximize the entropy of the probability distribution, subject to the appropriate constraints. The environmental variables were spatially interpolated throughout the entire study area. We used sensitivity-specificity sum maximum approach to select the threshold value. The projected niche space for the mean temperature of the warmest quarter is between 8.5 and 18.1°C; the space for the precipitation of the wettest quarter is between 149 and 245 mm; the space for annual solar radiation is 118–1100×103 wh m–2 and the space for topographic wetness index is between –0.4 and 5.1. The results show that both GARP and Maxent’s models produce acceptable predictions, but the overall comparison shows that GARP prediction is better than Maxent’s; the comparison between the observed distribution and the predicted distribution suggests that 61% (2869 km2) of P. crassifolia forests have been deforested.
Solidago canadensis, which is native to North America, is considered to be the most widespread invasive alien plant. The invasion of Solidago canadensis in China has resulted in serious environmental problems. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the geographical distribution of S. canadensis and bioclimatic variables, and then predicting the potential distribution of this species is essential for management actions and practices. Although several studies have delineated the potential distribution of S. canadensis in China, how this species would respond to variations in future climatic conditions remains unclear. In the present study, we predicted the potential distribution of S. canadensis under current and future climatic conditions using species distribution models. We also analyzed range shifting of this species under current and future climatic conditions. We arrived at several conclusions. First, the potential distribution of S. canadensis may expand 40% under future climatic condition compare with that of under current condition. Second, mean diurnal range, isothermality, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, precipitation of the driest month, and precipitation seasonality (coefficient of variation) are key bioclimatic variables in determine the potential distribution of S. canadensis. Third, expansion of S. canadensis can be partly attributed to the relatively warmer and wetter future bioclimatic condition than current one.
The stayed cables are key stress components of large offshore bridge. The fault detection of stayed cable is very important for safe of large offshore bridge. A particle filter model and algorithm of nonlinear vibration signal are used in this paper. Firstly, the particle filter model of stayed cable of large offshore bridge is created. Nonlinear dynamic model of the stayed-cable and beam coupling system is dispersed in temporal dimension by using the finite difference method. The discrete nonlinear vibration equations of any cable element are worked out. Secondly, a state equation of particle filter is fitted by least square algorithm from the discrete nonlinear vibration equations. So the particle filter algorithm can use the accurate state equations. Finally, the particle filter algorithm is used to filter the vibration signal of bridge stayed cable. According to the particle filter, the de-noised vibration signal can be tracked and be predicted for a short time accurately. Many experiments are done at some actual bridges. The simulation experiments and the actual experiments on the bridge stayed cables are all indicating that the particle filter algorithm in this paper has good performance and works stably
Recretohalophytes with specialized salt-secreting structures, including salt glands and salt bladders, can secrete excess salts from plant tissues and enhance salinity tolerance of plants. However, the pathway and property of salt secretion by the salt gland has not been elucidated. In the article, Limonium bicolor Kuntze was used to investigate the pathway and characteristics of salt secretion of salt gland. Scanning electron microscope micrographs showed that each of the secretory cells had a pore in the center of the cuticle, and the rice grain-like secretions were observed above the pore. The chemical composition of secretions from secretory pores was mainly NaCl using environmental scanning electron microscope technique. Non-invasive micro-test technology was used to directly measure ion secretion rate of salt gland, and secretion rates of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ were greatly enhanced by a 200-mmol/L NaCl treatment. However, epidermal cells and stoma showed little secretion of ions. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that the salt glands of L. bicolor have four secretory pores and that NaCl is secreted through these pores of salt gland.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the world’s most important cultivated vegetable. In the traditional cultivation methods, the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers leads to an imbalance of nutrient elements in the soil, an increase in pests and diseases and a decrease in vegetable quality and yield. In the face of increasingly serious environmental and food problems, organic agriculture is considered to be an effective solution. In this experiment, the effects of organic cultivation patterns on the growth, quality, disease resistance in tomatoes, and the physical and chemical properties of soil were studied by different treatments. The results showed that the application of effective microorganisms (EM) bio-organic fertilizer in the cultivation process can significantly improve the yield, quality, and antioxidant enzyme activity of tomato. The use of straw mulching was found to significantly increase the growth, chlorophyll content, transpiration rate, and soluble sugar content of tomatoes. The application of EM bio-organic fertilizer or straw mulching significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzyme and the expression of LeCHI gene in tomato leaves and enhanced tomato resistance to diseases. Organic production practices were found to significantly improve the soil.
Rice is one of the most important crops around the world. The cold temperature as a major abiotic stress occurs frequently affecting rice growth and final plant yield. Chitooligosaccharide (COS) has been reported as an elicitor of plant immunity that can improve plant seedling tolerance to cold stress. However, the mechanisms on the enhanced cold tolerance is unclear. Here, we report that the rice seedlings treated by COS demonstrated good cold tolerance with promoted root vigor and plant growth. COS could increase contents of proline and glutamate in the seedlings. Moreover, expression analysis revealed COS significantly induced the transcripts of the key genes associated with the glutamate and proline biosynthesis pathway during cold stress. These results indicate that COS enhanced seedling growth and cold tolerance in rice may be caused by the osmotic regulation through the accumulations of glutamate and proline to provide significant osmo-protection.
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