Dispersal, defined as a linear spreading movement of individuals away from others of the population is a fundamental characteristic of organisms in nature. Dispersal is a central concept in ecological, behavioral and evolutionary studies, driven by different forces such as avoidance of inbreeding depression, density-dependent competition and the need to change breeding locations. By effective dispersal, organisms can enlarge their geographic range and adjust the dynamic, sex ratio and genetic compositions of a population. Birds are one of the groups that are studied intensively by human beings. Due to their diurnal habits, diverse life history strategies and complex movement, birds are also ideal models for the study of dispersal behaviors. Certain topics of avian dispersal including sex-biased, asymmetric dispersal caused by differences in body conditions, dispersal processes, habitat selection and long distance dispersal are discussed here. Bird-ringing or marking, radio-telemetry and genetic markers are useful tools widely applied in dispersal studies. There are three major challenges regarding theoretical study and methodology research of dispersal: (1) improvement in research methodology is needed, (2) more in-depth theoretical research is necessary, and (3) application of theoretical research into the conservation efforts for threatened birds and the management of their habitats should be carried out immediately.

This article presents the distribution and status of bustards, which are listed as first-category protected animals according to the survey results during 1990–2002 in China. The Chinese populations of Otis tarda dybowskii are breeding in south-west of Heilongjiang Province, western Jilin Province, east and middle Inner Mongolia, north Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Gansu Province. A few can winter in the south breeding-range. Its winter-range lies from the south to the Yellow River, as far as to Guizhou Province and Jiangxi Province. Its population number is about 200–300 or 500–800. The Chinese populations of O. t. tarda are breeding in the north and west of Xinjiang. It is unclear about its winter-range, which is presumed to be in south Asia. Recently we found individuals wintering in Chabuchaer and west Xinjiang. The population number is about 2000–3000. The habitat in breeding range includes steppe, grassland, desert grassland, and farmland. The habitat in winter range is the beach of rivers and lakes, meadows, meadow-grassland, and wheatland. The Chinese populations of Chlamydotis undulata macqueeni are breeding in the fringe of the Jungar Basin, the banks of the Ulungur River, Balikun and south Turpan Basin in Xinjiang, west Inner Mongolia, and west Gansu. Northeast Mulei in eastern Jungar Basin of Xinjiang is the main breeding-range in the world. The bird uses desert and desert grassland as its habitat. Its winter-range is west Asia and south Asia. Its population number is about 2000. The Chinese populations of Tetrax tetrax are breeding in north Xinjiang, and China is located on the east border of its breeding-range. Its habitat is grassland and semi-desert, and its winter-range lies in south Asia. Its population in China is very scarce. In addition, we analyzed the causes of their endangerment and put forward protection tactics of Chinese Bustards.

Some novel members of extremely halophilic archaea, strains AJ11, AJ12 and AJ13, were isolated from the Aularz Lake located in the Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve of Xinjiang, Uygur Autonomous Region in China. Partial DNA fragments encoding a bacteriorhodopsin (BR), as well as for 16S rRNA of isolated strains, were amplified by PCR and their DNA sequences were determined subsequently. On the basis of homology and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA, we thought that the isolated strains forming a microbiological population are the members of the genus Natrinema. The results of genetic analysis, such as GC content, transition/transversion (Ti/Tv) rate ratios and synonymous substitution rates (Ks) indicate that the br fragments, with a high level of genetic divergence, are faced with both purifying selection and bias mutation pressure. The study provides the basis for use of species and BR proteins resources.

A total of 10 non-repetitive multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter strains were collected. With reference to A. calcoaceticus (ATCC23055), A. baumannii (ATCC19606), A. lwoffii (ATCC17986), and A. junii (NCTC5866), DNA fingerprint technique, amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), and random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) were carried out to identify the genomic species of Acinetobacter spp. The distances between them were calculated by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic (UPGMA). Genotypes of Acinetobacter spp. were effectively classified and an A. junii together with nine A. baumannii isolates was genomically identified. The combination of ARDRA and RAPD DNA-fingerprint technique shows high complementarity, and could be a useful tool in Acinetobacter genomic species identification.

Essential oil of the subterranean part of Cacalia tangutica (Maxim.) Hand.-Mazz was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrum (MS) technique in two different capillary columns of different polarities. Thirty-one components were identified in the oil and the main compounds were ?-zingiberene (13.49%), germacrene D (10.76%), ?-pinene (8.54%), caryophyllene(Z-) (6.36%), linalool (6.16%), ?-myrcene (4.89%), ?-ocimene(Z-) (4.40%)and ocimenone(Z-) (3.58%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was evaluated against 2 fungi and 12 bacteria including 6 clinically isolated strains using the agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The results show that the oil presented a broad antimicrobial spectrum and had better antimicrobial activity against yeast and gram-positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration values were 0.16–5.00 g/L and minimum bactericidal concentration values were 0.16–5.00 g/L.

Carboxymethytl pachymaram (CMP) was administered to HBV transgenic mice through abdominal injection. Lymphocytes were extracted from the spleens. MTT method was used to detect cytotoxicity of CMP. Dendritic cells (DCs) were separated from lymphocytes and incubated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Phenotypes of DC’s were assayed by flow cytometry (FCM). IL-12 released by DCs and IL-10 and IFN-? produced by T cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) were measured using ELISA. Results showed that CMP within the concentration of 0–500 ?g/mL did not produce cytotoxicity to lymphocytes and could even increase DC phenotypes, and IL-12 level in HBV transgenic mice. It could also increase the secretion of IFN-?, and inhibit the secretion of IL-10 in MLR. Thus it can up-regulate DC function.

The rice BAC-DNA was used as probes and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied to the interphase and metaphase mitotic chromosomes of maize. To optimize the BAC-FISH technique, we respectively assayed the effect of several factors, including maize or rice genomic C_ot DNA used as blocking reagent of DNA, washing temperatures and FAD concentration in the washing buffer and in the hybrid solution. The results show that C_ot DNA of maize genome blocked the repetitive sequence of the rice BAC-DNA when the C_ot value was below 50. Meanwhile, it was necessary to adjust the C_ot value according to the different probes and their ratios. Decreasing the concentration of FAD in the hybridization mixtures, adjusting the washing rate after hybridization, and most especially, blocking the rice-specific repetitive sequences of BAC-DNA could improve the positive signals of BAC-FISH.

To analyze the protein expression pattern of the cerebral cortex in Wistar rats using the proteomics approach, proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, stained with Coomassie brilliant blue and digested with trypsin. Then, we analyzed the peptide section using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and identified the protein by indexing special database (SwissProt) according to the finger printing of the peptide quality. Eighty-four protein spots were identified, including metabolic enzymes, skeleton proteins, heat shock proteins, antioxidant proteins, signaling proteins, proteasome related proteins, neuron and glial specific proteins and serum associated proteins. The result of this study enriches the database of the proteome in the cerebral cortex of rats and lays a foundation for further research of neurological disorders in rat models.

To screen for effective small interference RNA (siRNA), a simple and visualized method was developed using the green fluorescence protein (GFP) as a reporter. Candidate siRNAs targeting macrophage migration inhibition factor genes (MIF) were identified. By using the pEGFP-N3 vector, the MIF-GFP expression plasmid, pEGFP-MIF, was constructed with the same Kozak consensus translation initiation site and start code ATG for the MIF-EGFP coding sequence. Based on the siRNA expression vector pSilencer-4.1, 3 candidate MIF siRNA expression plasmids were constructed and co-transfected with the pEGFP-MIF into the HEK293 cells, respectively. The GFP expression in HEK293 cells could be viewed by fluorescence microscopy and the MIF mRNA expressions were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. The 3 candidate MIF siRNA expression plasmids were also co-transfected with the MIF expression plasmid into the HEK293 cells, respectively, and the MIF mRNA expressions were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. The results show that the down-regulated expression of the MIF mRNA was consistent with the GFP expression and the same effective MIF siRNAs were screened by using the pEGFP-MIF or MIF expression plasmid with the candidate MIF siRNAs expression plasmids. Therefore, by using the GFP as a reporter, a useful method was provided to screen for effective siRNAs targeting specific genes co-expressed with the GFP. This may be a good strategy for screening for effective siRNAs targeting different genes.

RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a powerful tool for identifying gene functions. Chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) is an ideal model for studying the interaction between avian viruses and their hosts. To establish a methodological platform for RNAi studies in CEF, three plasmid vectors expressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeted against the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) NP gene were constructed. One of them, ndv1, was proven effective on blocking viral replication in CEF and chicken embryos. Four hours prior to infection with NDV, the CEF was transfected with the plasmids by Silent-fect. An unrelated shRNA sequence (HK) was used in mock transfection. The expression of a potent shRNA resulted in up to 2.3, 21.1 and 9.8 fold decreases in NP gene expression at 3, 6 and 9 h post infection in CEF, respectively. The ndv1 was able to completely inhibit the replication of the virus in CEF within 48 post infection. Furthermore, the pathological changes in CEF caused by NDV were delayed, and the degree of pathological changes was lighter compared with the mock transfection in the presence of ndv1. When the complex of shRNA-Silent-fect and NDV was co-injected into the allantoic cavity of 10-day-old embryonated eggs with 10⁵ or 10⁶ ELD₅₀ NDV, NDV replication was decreased by 94.14% and 62.15% after 17 h, respectively. These findings suggest that the newly synthesized NP protein is critical for NDV transcription and replication and provide a basis for identifying the functions of viral genes and screening for effective siRNAs against viruses in CEF and chicken embryo by RNAi.

The achievement of double fertilization in higher plants requires the successful transport of sperm cells to the female gametes, the ovules. Pollen tubes, the tubular structure protruding from pollens, carrying the sperms play an important role in this process. How a pollen tube precisely guides its direction to gain its goal is of mystery. Previous investigation indicated that multiple signal clues from the pistils function as the route signs to regulate the pathway of pollen tube growth. Among the signal clues, ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA) seems to be universal. Its gradient concentration has been found both in tobacco and Arabidopsis pollen tube guidance. In the communication of pollens and pistils, what on earth GABA tells pollen tubes is of great interest. The GABA receptors on the pollen membrane are thought to be the hinge in the language conversation. In this review, the mechanism of GABA gradient formation is investigated. The possible GABA receptor on the pollen membrane is examined and its function is discussed. To decipher the possible language of GABA in pollen tube growth and guidance, multiple methods are needed. The combination of transcriptome and proteomics assay is expected to unveil the secret.

A population of 117 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from the cross of Zhaiyeqing 8 (indica)×Jingxi 17 (japonica) was employed to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying four physiological traits related to chlorophyll contents of the flag leaf. There were significantly positive correlations among chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a + b content. Chlorophyll a/b ratio was significantly negatively correlated with chlorophyll b content. These four traits were normally distributed with transgressive segregation, suggesting that they were controlled by multiple minor genes. A total of 11 QTLs were detected for the four traits and they lay on six chromosomes. Each of them explained 9.2%–19.6% of the phenotypic variations, respectively. Of these, two QTLs controlling chlorophyll a content were mapped on chromosomes 2 and 5; four QTLs underlying chlorophyll b content were mapped on chromosomes 2, 3, 5 and 9; three QTLs underlying chlorophyll a + b amount were mapped on chromosomes 3, 5 and 9; two QTLs underlying chlorophyll a/b ratio were mapped on chromosomes 6 and 11. The intrinsic relationship among the four traits and the practical implication in rice breeding are discussed.

Using trans-lysozyme gene rice line D2-1-2 and its restorer Zhonghua No.9 as test materials, we studied their agronomic characters and grain qualities under two ecological conditions of Yunnan Province. The results show that there were no significant differences in the agronomic characters between D2-1-2 and Zhonghua No.9, but the seed setting rate and plant height of D2-1-2 were significantly lower, while the protein, amino acid and mineral element (Ca, Fe and Zn in particular) contents in its crude grain were higher than those of Zhonghua No.9. It is suggested that there could be some potential genetic variances in the transgenic plant and the possibly induced environmental risk should be evaluated in multi-plots for several years.

To understand the ecophysiological adaptation of Lilium “Oriental Hybrids”, which are grown for their commercial bulbs, the gas exchange, leaf N and chlorophyll content of the three varieties were investigated in the central areas of the Yunnan Province. Among the three varieties, light-saturated photosynthetic rate at ambient CO₂ (A_max) of Tiber was the highest, while that of Siberia was the lowest. The difference in the A_max was related to the carboxylation efficiency (CE), leaf mass per unit area and leaf N content per mass, which indicated that their photosynthetic capacity was influenced by the activity and/or the quantity of Rubisco. The three varieties had lower photosynthetic saturation points and photosynthetic compensation points, but the photosynthetic rates were not decreased up to 2000 ?molm^-2s^-1 of the light intensity. This indicates that the three varieties had broad adaptability to light intensity. There were significant differences in the photosynthetic optimum temperature among the three varieties. Siberia had the highest photosynthetic optimum temperature (25.5°C–34.9°C), and is likely to grow well in warm areas. Sorbonne had the lowest photosynthetic optimum temperature (19.3°C–25.6°C), and its growth is favored in cool areas. Tiber can maintain a high photosynthetic rate within a wide range of temperature. Therefore, Tiber is the most suitable variety for the climate in the central areas of the Yunnan Province, China.

Seven alkaloids were isolated from the seeds of Ammopiptanthus mongolica by thin layer chromatography and silica gel column chromatography, and the chemical structures of five alkaloids, 17-oxosparteine, ?-isosparteine, 3?-hydroxysparteine, sparteine, and 3?-hydroxysparteine were identified by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron ionization mass spectrum (EIMS).

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of canopy conditions on clump and culm numbers, and the morphological plasticity and biomass distribution patterns of the dwarf bamboo species Fargesia nitida. Specifically, we investigated the effects of canopy conditions on the growth and morphological characteristics of F. nitida, and the adaptive responses of F. nitida to different canopy conditions and its ecological senses. The results indicate that forest canopy had a significant effect on the genet density and culm number per clump, while it did not affect the ramet density. Clumps tended to be few and large in gaps and forest edge plots, and small under forest understory plots. The ramets showed an even distribution under the closed canopy, and cluster distribution under gaps and forest edge plots. The forest canopy had a significant effect on both the ramets’ biomass and biomass allocation. Favourable light conditions promoted ramet growth and biomass accumulation. Greater amounts of biomass in gaps and forest edge plots were shown by the higher number of culms per clump and the diameter of these culms. Under closed canopy, the bamboos increased their branching angle, leaf biomass allocation, specific leaf area and leaf area ratio to exploit more favourable light conditions in these locations. The spacer length, specific spacer length and spacer branching angles all showed significant differences between gaps and closed canopy conditions. The larger specific spacer length and spacer branching angle were beneficial for bamboo growth, scattering the ramets and exploiting more favourable light conditions. In summary, this study shows that to varying degrees, F. nitida exhibits both a wide ecological amplitude and high degree of morphological plasticity in response to differing forest canopy conditions. Moreover, the changes in plasticity enable the plants to optimize their light usage efficiency to promote growth and increase access to resources available in heterogeneous light environments.

A few individuals with intermediate morphology always appeared in the sympatric distributions of Gentiana straminea and G. siphonantha. These intermediate individuals were hypothesized to be the hybrids of

The Achnatherum splendens community is an important type of warm steppe vegetation which plays a very important role in environmental protection in the area along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. In order to understand its dynamic features, the characteristics of the A. splendens community, such as spatial distribution pattern, species richness and biomass, were examined near Haiyan County, Qinghai Province. Results showed that the A. splendens community consisted of two types of mosaic patches, the microaggregation dominated by A. splendens and the microaggregation dominated by Stipa sp. The number and size of the two patches showed an interesting distribution pattern. The A. splendens patch decreased with increasing distance away from the railway, while species diversity increased. The total coverage of A. splendens was significantly higher than that of Stipa sp. The number and size of patches may indicate the degradation of the A. splendens community, which could be accelerated by human activities. Based on the characteristics and status quo of the A. splendens community, we suggest that some measures be taken to control human activities and rodents to conserve the A. splendens community.

An Arabidopsis mutant induced by T-DNA insertion was studied with respect to its phenotype, microstructure of shoot apical meristem (SAM) and histo-chemical localization of the GUS gene in comparison with the wild type. Phenotypical observation found that the mutant exhibited a dwarf phenotype with smaller organs (such as smaller leaves, shorter petioles), and slower development and flowering time compared to the wild type. Optical microscopic analysis of the mutant showed that it had a smaller and more flattened SAM, with reduced cell layers and a shortened distance between two leaf primordia compared with the wild type. In addition, analysis of the histo-chemical localization of the GUS gene revealed that it was specifically expressed in the SAM and the vascular tissue of the mutant, which suggests that the gene trapped by T-DNA may function in the SAM, and T-DNA insertion could influence the functional activity of the related gene in the mutant, leading to alterations in the SAM and a series of phenotypes in the mutant.

Based on our field investigation, we analyzed the characteristics of species diversity and interspecific association at different development stages of Hippohae rhamnoides plantations. The results show that the species diversities of the shrub layer, grass layer and the whole community of the H. rhamnoides plantations all fluctuated in an “S” shape pattern. At different development stages, the species richness and diversity were higher in the grass layer than in the shrub layer. The shrub species diversity was lower on bare land, but increased gradually with development of the community. The shrub evenness index was higher in 13-year forest stand, while the grass diversity index was higher in the 3-year and 25-year plantations and lower in the 8-year plantation. The positive and negative absolute values of interspecific association between H. rhamonides and other principal species changed in a parabolic pattern. The significance level and intensity of interspecific association were lower or weaker in the13-year plantation, indicating that the species substitution rate slowed down, competition became less intense and community composition and its structure reached a relatively stable state. Therefore, to improve the ecological environment, priority should be given to the protection of the H. rhamnoides plantations younger than 13 years, while for those of 25 year plantations, moderate thinning should be made to promote their regeneration.

Fine root turnover is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. However, to estimate fine root turnover, it is important to first understand the fine root dynamic processes associated with soil resource availability and climate factors. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine patterns of fine root production and mortality in different seasons and soil depths in the Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations, (2) to analyze the correlation of fine root production and mortality with environmental factors such as air temperature, precipitation, soil temperature and available nitrogen, and (3) to estimate fine root turnover. We installed 36 Minirhizotron tubes in six mono-specific plots of each species in September 2003 in the Mao’ershan Experimental Forest Station. Minirhizotron sampling was conducted every two weeks from April 2004 to April 2005. We calculated the average fine root length, annual fine root length production and mortality using image data of Minirhizotrons, and estimated fine root turnover using three approaches. Results show that the average growth rate and mortality rate in L. melinii were markedly smaller than in F. mandshurica, and were highest in the surface soil and lowest at the bottom among all the four soil layers. The annual fine root production and mortality in F. mandshurica were significantly higher than in L. gmelinii. The fine root production in spring and summer accounted for 41.7% and 39.7% of the total annual production in F. mandshurica and 24.0% and 51.2% in L. gmelinii. The majority of fine root mortality occurred in spring and summer for F. mandshurica and in summer and autumn for L. gmelinii. The turnover rate was 3.1 a^-1 for L. gmelinii and 2.7 a^-1 for F. mandshurica. Multiple regression analysis indicates that climate and soil resource factors together could explain 80% of the variations of the fine root seasonal growth and 95% of the seasonal mortality. In conclusion, fine root production and mortality in L. gmelinii and F. mandshurica have different patterns in different seasons and at different soil depths. Air temperature, precipitation, soil temperature and soil available nitrogen integratively control the dynamics of fine root production, mortality and turnover in both species.

Based on the survey of community plots, a quantitative analysis of endangered Acanthopanax senticosus communities in Dongling Mountain was performed with two way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The communities of A. senticosus were classified into 9 types by TWINSPAN and the results were validated by DCA. On the DCA graph, the first axis reflected the gradient of altitude and the second axis reflected the aspect and slope. Most of A. senticosus were distributed in the thick forests at a high altitude with little light. With the exception of being a dominant species of shrub layers in a few communities, A. senticosus has a relatively scarce distribution. In accordance with DCA, the results of CCA also show the trend that the distribution of A. senticosus communities varied along with the gradient change of environmental factors. Altitude and light are the main factors affecting A. senticosus growth.

Vegetation classification is an important topic in plant ecology and many quantitative techniques for classification have been developed in the field. The artificial neural network is a comparatively new tool for data analysis. The self-organizing feature map (SOFM) is powerful tool for clustering analysis. SOFM has been applied to many research fields and it was applied to the classification of plant communities in the Pangquangou Nature Reserve in the present work. Pangquangou Nature Reserve, located at 37°20′–38°20′ N, 110°18′–111°18′ E, is a part of the Luliang Mountain range. Eighty-nine samples (quadrats) of 10 m × 10 m for forest, 4 m × 4 m for shrubland and 1 m × 1 m for grassland along an elevation gradient, were set up and species data was recorded in each sample. After discussion of the mathematical algorism, clustering technique and the procedure of SOFM, the classification was carried out by using NNTool box in MATLAB (6.5). As a result, the 89 samples were clustered into 13 groups representing 13 types of plant communities. The characteristics of each community were described. The result of SOFM classification was identical to the result of fuzzy c-mean clustering and consistent with the distribution patterns of vegetation in the study area and shows significant ecological meanings. This suggests that SOFM may clearly describe the ecological relationships between plant communities and it is a very effective quantitative technique in plant ecology research.

An analysis of the seasonal and vertical distribution of soil nematode communities under three contrasting land uses, i.e., cropland, abandoned cropland and woodland was conducted in an aquic brown soil. The results showed that different land-use types affected the spatiotemporal distribution of soil nematodes and their dominant genera, and different dominant genera showed different responses to land use. In the abandoned cropland and woodland, most dominant genera were present in the 0–20 cm layers and Chiloplacus was mainly distributed in the 5–30 cm layers, while in the cropland, Pratylenchus exhibited an even distribution from the 0–5 cm to the 40–50 cm depth. Soil environmental parameters under different land use could influence soil nematodes; soil porosity, total organic C, total N and the C/N ratio could positively influence the abundance of some dominant genera. Faunal profiles revealed that environmental stability and the homeostasis in the abandoned cropland and woodland lead to higher levels of community structure, and the soil food web tends to succeed to maturity. Nematode faunal analyses are a useful indicator for interpreting the stress and/or nutrient conditions under different land uses.

The ecosystem of the Three Gorges in the Yangtze River was changed into an artificial lake (reservoir) ecosystem after impoundment in June 2003. We surveyed the seasonal variation and spatial distribution of copepods from April 2004 to January 2005 in order to provide data for clarifying the successional pattern of the ecosystem. From Jiangjin to Maoping, eight copepod species were collected and classified into Calanoida (2), Harpacticoida (1), and Cyclopoida (5). Among them, Mesocyclops pehpeiensis, M. leuckarti and Sinocalanus dorrii had a relatively wide distribution. No distinct difference in species number was found among the sampling sites, but the species composition was different. Species composition, distribution and density of copepods showed significant seasonal variations. In addition, copepod density showed an obvious gradient with the distance from the reservoir dam: the nearer to the dam, the denser the copepods.

The black-spotted pond frog (Rana nigromaculata) is one of the most widely distributed species in China. However, there have been only a few qualitative descriptions of their breeding ecology and oviposition site selection. From 2004 to 2006, we investigated the breeding ecology and oviposition site selection of R. nigromaculata in Ningbo, China, quantitatively. Analyses of breeding ecology show that: (1) mean frog density in the breeding season was 0.0903 ± 0.0029 individuals per meter (n = 11) (mean ± SE); (2) R. nigromaculata was a sexually dimorphic species, with females significantly larger than males in both body weight and snout-vent length; (3) the clutch size averaged 4643.04 ± 235.96 eggs (range 1546–7897, n = 50); and (4) the egg size ranged from 1.50 to 1.74 mm in diameter, with an average egg size of 1.6050 ± 0.0046 mm (n = 226). Oviposition sites differed significantly from random sites in percentages of water, bare ground and vegetation cover, water depth (cm), water temperature (°C) and water turbidity. Rana nigromaculata preferred microhabitats with higher percentages of water and vegetation cover, while it avoided microhabitats with deeper water. The results suggest that microhabitats with higher percentages of water and vegetation cover, but not deeper water, should be priorities for protection and conservation of the breeding habitats of R. nigromaculata.

The carrying capacity of food resources for migrating shorebirds was estimated at a stopover site in the Yangtze River Estuary during the two migratory seasons (spring and autumn). From March to May and September to November 2005, the macrobenthos resources of the Jiuduansha Wetland were investigated, and most of the macrobenthos species in the newly-formed shoal were found to be appropriate food for shorebirds. Biomass measurements showed that the total food resource was about 4541.20 kg AFDW (Ash-Free Dry Weight) in spring and about 2279.64 kg AFDW in autumn. Calculations were also done in the available habitats (intertidal bare mudflat and Scirpus × mariqueter/Scirpus triqueter zones) for the shorebirds. The food resources in the available areas were about 3429.03 kg AFDW in spring and about 1700.92 kg AFDW in autumn. Based on the classification (by lean weight, basic metabolic rate and body length) of the shorebird community, and using the energy depletion model, it was theorized that all of the food resources in the Jiuduansha Wetland could support about 3.5 million shorebirds during spring season and 1.75 million shorebirds during autumn season. The shorebird carrying capacities in terms of the available food were about 2.6 million and 1.3 million birds during the two respective migration seasons. Considering the effect of intake rate, the potential carrying capacity was about 0.13–0.26 million shorebirds in the study area. The main factor restricting use of the area by shorebirds was the scarcity of available habitats for roosting at high tide rather than availability of food supply. We recommend restoring some wading pools in the dense Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora zones for shorebirds to roost in, to improve shorebirds’ utilization efficiency of the resources in the Jiuduansha Wetland.

The west Jilin Province is a typical area in the ecotone between agriculture and animal husbandry, with a frangible eco-environment. With respect to the three aspects of water resource, natural disasters and land degradation, 10 indices were selected to establish a matter-element model for the assessment of eco-environmental frangibility in the west Jilin Province. The results indicate that during 1985–2000, Qian’an, Fuyu, and Changling had the least frangibility (level I), followed by Da’an and Qianguo (level II), and Taobei, Zhenlai, Taonan, and Tongyu had the highest frangibility (level III). On the whole, the counties in Songyuan city were less frangible than those in Baicheng city. Different counties had different frangibilities to environmental factors, e.g., Da’an and Tongyu were frangible in water resource conditions; Taobei, Zhenlai, Taonan, Tongyu and Qian’an suffered most from natural disasters; while Taobei, Taonan and Qianguo were threatened by severe land degradation.