It is increasingly recognized that biotic interactions could play a significant role in species distribution modelling. To assess the conservation effectiveness of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) reserves in a changing climate, we combined both biotic variables (food availability) and abiotic (climatic and geographic) to project the potential changes of distribution and quality of giant panda habitats using the most recent IPCC-CMIP5 climate scenarios. Our results suggested that climate change would adversely affect giant pandas through habitat degradation, in that: (1) 52.9–71.3% of the current habitats could be lost; (2) the giant panda habitats could become more fragmented and isolated; and (3) both the quantity and quality of habitats in the current giant panda reserves could substantially contract, and approximately 20% of the reserves could lose all habitat representations in this century. Additionally, we found that climate change would make it increasingly necessary to translocate small populations of pandas from the southwestern to the northwestern part of the current distribution range to ensure population viability. Our results suggest the need for immediate change in current conservation policies and formulating adaptation plans for giant panda conservation in a changing climate.

We assessed the vulnerability of 208 endemic or endangered species in China to the effects of climate change, as a part of the project “Research on China’s National Biodiversity and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans”. Based on the China Species Information System, we selected comprehensive species as analysis targets, covering taxa including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and plants. We applied nine species distribution models in BIOMOD (a package of R software) to estimate the current (1991–2010) ranges and predicted future (2081–2100) ranges of these species, using six climate variables based on Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3) and A1B emission scenario. The model results showed that different taxa might show diverse potential range shifts over time. The range sizes of half of the species (104 species) would decrease, and those of another half would increase. We predicted that the future remaining ranges (intersection of current and future ranges/current ranges) of 135 species would be less than 50 % of their current range sizes. Species that are both endemic and critically endangered would lose more of their range than others. In summary, the most vulnerable species are currently found on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, in the Hengduan Mountain Range, and southern China. Future action plans dealing with climate change in China should be prepared with consideration for vulnerable species and their habitats.

萜类化合物是植物一类重要的次生代谢物,在寄主识别和信息通讯及3层营养关系等生态关系上具有重要功能.萜类合成酶是萜烯生物合成途径中的重要调控酶之一,特别是在萜烯化合物多样性的调控上具有重要作用.在针叶树中,萜类合成酶的深入研究有助于更好地利用萜类化合物以进行病虫害的防御.综述近年来针叶树中萜烯合成酶的理化性质、基因和氨基酸序列特征以及调控等方面的研究成果,为我国开展这方面的研究工作提供有益的参考.

Facultative diapause, a strategy that allows insects to initiate additional generations when conditions are favorable or to enter diapause when they are not, has a profound effect on the ecology and evolution of species. Most previous studies have concentrated on the role of photoperiod and temperature in inducing facultative diapause in insects. In contrast, here we studied pupal diapause mediated by larval host plants in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, and confirmed that pupal weight is a critical factor. Two groups of third instar H. armigera larvae, kept at 25 °C with L:D=8:16 and 20 °C with photoperiod of L:D=8:16, respectively, were fed on six host plants and on artificial diet (as a control) to determine how larval host plants affect diapause incidence and related traits (such as pupal weight and developmental duration). The data showed larval host plants affected diapause incidence significantly and the effects could be masked by low temperature. Further analysis showed that pupal size, not the length of the sensitive stage, affected the decision to enter diapause. In a further experiment, third-instar to final-stage larvae deprived of artificial diet for 2 days demonstrated a direct relationship between pupal weight and diapause incidence. These results suggest that larval host plants, by affecting pupal size, may influence diapause occurrence in H. armigera. This has important adaptive significance for both over-wintering survival and the possibility for completing an additional generation.

The crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) had declined severely from a common species to only two pairs in last century. To analyze the declining process, we established a GIS database with historical occurrences of the crested ibis based on published literatures, and layers of environmental factors such as elevation, wetland, and human activities. We compared the environmental factors at the occurrence sites in different periods to quantify the changes of habitat use across time. To address the spatial deviation of the occurrences and check the effect of measuring scale on habitat use, we calculated the environmental factors in a serial measuring scales from 1 to 161 × 161 km2. Our results indicated that the crested ibis traditionally lives in habitat with higher wetland density and higher human impact, then it gradually moved to areas with higher elevation and lower human impact in last century. In 1980–2000 the crested ibis stayed at a very high elevation, lower wetland density and lower human impact as possible consequences of human activities such as using fertilizer and pesticide, drying the over wintering rice paddies, and direct hunting. Our quantitative analysis of the habitat use matched well the previous published statements (which have no numerical evidences) on the declination of the crested ibis. We suggest to reestablish the habitat with traditional farming practice that the bird has adapted as a major solution for applications such as conservation planning and reintroduction.

The outbreak pattern of Masson Pine Caterpillar(MPC),Demdraolimus punctatus,have both periodic and stochastic characteristics.In different environment conditions the outbreak pattern are different.In frequently outbreak area,the pattern is usually eruptive,while in occasionally outbreak and non-outbreak area the pattern are gradient,emigration,or stable at low population density.The outbreak causes in one hand is high fecundity of MPC and more importantly the existence of large-scale pure pine forests.Outbreaks usually initiate by high temperature and drought or chaotic dynamics under the influence of environmental noise.During the increase phase the dynamics are droved by positive density dependent factors while in decline and endemic phase the negative density dependent factors such as induced host resistance and natural enemies play an important role.Vegetation and invertebrate diversity take a main role in the suppression of MPC outbreaks.

We detected the existence of chaotic behavior in mason pine caterpillar (MPC) populations using response surface methods. We found that a small noise made the local Lyapunov Exponents fluctuated above zero, though all estimated Global Lyapunov Exponents were negative and the local Lyapunov Exponents were fluctuated below zero without the noise. This implies that noise could play an important role on the population dynamics and causes in the system. The simulation result showed the damped oscillation or limited cycle. The population dynamics of year-to-year time series damped quickly to the equilibrium while that of generation to generation time series ran relatively slowly to the equilibrium. The temporal pattern of MPC may vary at different temporal and spatial scales. Population dynamics are more relatively irregular and erratic at smaller scales. For the management of MPC most important prediction is at the beginning of the outbreak. Because of possible chaotic dynamics and first order density dependent, continuous monitoring is needed. The prediction for the next generation should be most reliable.

This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using Landsat ETM+ data to identify the extent and severity of locust damage. Two cloud-free Landsat ETM+ images of the study area, taken before and after peak locust plague, were compared to determine the extent and severity of the 2002 locust plague according to the decrease of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from the two images. The results showed that the locust plague could be classified into heavy, moderate and light damage degrees based on the NDVI value decrease calculated by each pixel, which further evaluated its accuracy by extensive ground survey data. Locust plague can be identified with 98% and 92% accuracy for determining geographic extent and severity respectively using Landsat ETM+ data.

It was reported the oviposition site selection by Locusta migratoria manilensis (Meyen) at the Nandagang reservior in the coastal locust areas by two years field investigation. The results indicated the preferable ranges of vegetation coverage, soil water content at 5 cm depth, and soil salinity for L. migratoria manilensis oviposition were 0～30%, 10.0%～20.0%, and 0.09%～1.99%, respectively. The site with vegetation coverage more than 70%, soil water content at 5 cm depth more than 30%, or soil salinity more than 3% is no longer suitable for L. migratoria manilensis oviposition. Soil organic matter and pH value were not main factors affecting the locust oviposition selection. Compared with the results in the 1950s, L. migratoria manilensis at present shows wider tolerance ranges to soil water content at 5 cm depth and salinity, and becomes more adaptable to the envorinment.

The soil spatial heterogeneity was studied by integrating geostatistical analysis and GIS techniques based on Locusta migratoria manilensis (Meyen) egg pods distribution pattern in coastal locust areas. Data of egg pods and soil properties, including soil water content at 5 cm, salinity, organic matter and pH, were collected from both spatial scales over two years (2002 and 2003) of extensive surveys: 450m intervals throughout the study area, then 50m grids for possible egg-laying areas which were located at the areas damaged by the locust plague or covered with sparse vegetation. Results showed that: 1) the spatial distribution of locust egg pods, mainly located at middle- and east areas, was patchy and aggregated. Egg pods in the field showed high heterogeneity and spatial autocorrelation was at a distance of about 390 m. 2) Spatial heterogeneity of autocorrelation in total spatial heterogeneity in soil water content at 5 cm, salinity, organic matter and pH were 76.15%, 78.04%, 57.19% and 61.85% respectively, and the scales of spatial heterogeneity were 621 m, 594 m, 1014 m and 1368 m respectively. 3) Locust egg pods were mainly located at middle-and east areas where soil salinity was lower(<1.9%) and soil water content was moderate at 5 cm (10.1%-29.9%) for locust oviposition. Whereas no egg pods were found at west and north areas because of high soil water content at 5 cm (>30%) and salinity(>3%). In a way, the spatial distribution pattern of locust egg pods mainly depended on the soil heterogeneity at the study area. 4) Spatial pattern maps of egg pods and soil properties, drived by block kriging, may provide useful information on sampling in the field, forecasting and monitoring locust plague and reclaiming the environment of locust areas.

Pest infestation and associated fungal infection are a serious disease problem in conifers,which have evolved elaborate,constitutive and inducible,terpene-based defense mechanisms to deter insect pests and their symbiotic fungal pathogens.This process involves the secretion of oleoresin,a complex mixture of monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes and diterpenoid acids.The article detailedly presents resin's composition and its defensive function,and analyses the variation of resin's resistance depending on environmental factor.Then route and common regulation of inducible terpene biosynthesis and relevant genes identification are provided.,and the strategies and prospects for conifer protection with improving resin-based resistance are discussed.

岛屿生物地理学和集合种群理论是目前生物多样性保育所依赖的主要生态学理论。人们通常强调这两种理论的区别,对它们之间的关联却很少注意到。事实上,这两种理论是同根同源的。以经典集合种群理论的创始者R.Levins对他与岛屿生物地理学的创始者R.H.MacArthur的合作过程以及岛屿生物地理学对他提出集合种群理论的影响的回顾为基础,分析比较了岛屿生物地理学、经典集合种群理论、以Hanski为代表的现代集合种群理论的基本假设、研究范式和核心思想的异同,简要介绍了多物种集合种群与集合群落研究的差异,最后分析了岛屿生物地理学和集合种群理论在生物多样性保育实践中的应用和存在问题。

Impact of soil spatial variability on spatial distribution pattern of Locusta migratoria manilensis eggpods in Nandagang reservoir,Hebei,were studied by means of geostatistical analysis and GIS techniques.Results show that soil properties,such as salt content,water content at 5 cm depth,organic matter and pH,displayed significant spatial heterogeneity,but the first two demonstrated close spatial correlation and the last two moderate spatial correlation,and the distribution of locust eggpods,significant spatial autocorrection.Locust eggpods were mainly distributed in the central and eastern parts of the study zone,where the soil was low in salinity(<1.9%) and moderate in water content(10.1%～29.9%),but they were rarely found in the western and northern parts,where the soil was high in water content(>30%) and in salinity(>3%).The findings indicate that the spatial distribution pattern of locust eggpods is mainly related to spatial variability of the soil in the study area.

Laboratory colonies of cotton bollworm larvae, Helicoverpa armigera, kept at 20°C under a photoperiod of L:D=10:14 were fed on five host plants (cotton, corn, kidney bean, tobacco and tomato) and an artificial diet (control) to determine the effects of larval host quality on survival and pupal over-wintering preparedness. A separate experiment showed that diapausing pupae weighed more and contained greater nutrient stores than did non-diapausing pupae. Diapausing pupae reared on different host plants showed significant differences in terms of over-wintering reserve storage, and degree of cold-hardiness (extent of low-molecular-weight substances and SCPs), and survivorship. The more nutrients the host plant had, the more the pupae weighed and the higher the levels of total lipids and glycogen. Body water content was also significantly affected by larval food quality. The mean pupal super-cooling capacities varied significantly from −16.7 to −18.9°C according to host plants the larvae feed on, and these significantly related to water content, pupal weight, lipid and glycogen content, and the levels of glycerol. Levels of trehalose, glycerol, and inositol, which were mainly low-molecular-weight substances, showed no significant differences among different host plants, except for trehalose. Pupal mortality varied from 39.7% on corn to 3.3% on the artificial diet, which was significantly related to pupal weight, total lipid content, trehalose levels, and super-cooling points. These results suggest that larval food quality can affect survival and influence the over-wintering preparedness of the cotton bollworm.

Spatial distribution of Locusta migratoria manilensis eggpods and soil properties (water content at 5cm depth, salinity, organic matter and pH) was studied by integrating geostatistical analysis and GIS techniques. During 2 years of surveys over the entire study area (6000ha), extensive data (292 regularly grids with 450-m intervals), coupled with intensive data (2601 regularly grids of 0.5-m separation) were used to characterize spatial patterns of L. m. manilensis eggpods and soil property variability and to explore the relationship between them. Semivariograms indicated the eggpods and four soil properties showed high spatial heterogeneity. The spatial distribution of eggpods, at distances ranging from 50–452m in spatial autocorrelation, was best described using the spherical model. Spatial autocorrelation in total spatial heterogeneity in soil water content at 5cm, salinity, organic matter and pH were 76.15, 78.04, 57.19 and 61.85%, respectively, and the scales of spatial heterogeneity were 621, 594, 1014 and 1368m, respectively. GIS assessment maps of eggpods and soil properties, derived by block kriging, displayed patterns of the locust eggpods and soil property variability at an area-wide scale. Most eggpods (66.27% and 72.24% for 2002 and 2003, respectively) were found at the areas with low salinity (<2.0% approximately), suitable water content at 5cm (10.1–20.0%). No eggpods were found at such areas with high soil water content at 5cm (>30%) and salinity (>3%). In a way, the spatial distribution pattern of locust eggpods mainly depended on the soil heterogeneity at the study area. t-Tests indicated that sites between with eggpods and without eggpods were significantly different only in soil water content at 5cm depth and salinity. The results may provide useful information on sampling in the field, forecasting and monitoring locust plague and reclaiming coastal locust breeding areas in China.

The spatial distribution pattern of reed and Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)were studied.The results showed that the both distribution patterns were best described using spherical models,which had spatial autocorrelation at distances about 502 m and 814 m,respectively.Locusts mainly located in northeast and southeast areas with worse reed conditions(30～70 individuals·m-2),but were rarely found in west and south areas with better reed conditions(>120,70～120 individuals·m-2 respectively)and in north areas with the worst reed conditions(<30 individuals·m-2),which showed significant correlation between locust disrtibution and reed densities.