Landscape-controlled chemistry variation affects communities and ecosystem function in headwater streams

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 1563-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zlatko Petrin ◽  
Brendan McKie ◽  
Ishi Buffam ◽  
Hjalmar Laudon ◽  
Björn Malmqvist

We show that benthic freshwater communities of naturally acidic streams in boreal catchments differ depending on properties of the surrounding landscape. Although low pH usually is associated with negative impacts on species diversity and ecosystem function, here decomposition by insects and microbes as well as the abundance of leaf-eating insects were generally high at low pH and at humic sites influenced by mire-dominated compared with forest-dominated surroundings. Moreover, in situ growth experiments showed that the survival of two of the most abundant insect species was higher when they originated from mire-influenced sites, underscoring their tolerance to low pH. However, species diversity generally increased with pH and was greater at forest-influenced than at mire-influenced sites. Although less diverse, acidic and humic streams proved to be functional and supported distinct macroinvertebrate assemblages. Diversity and function in naturally acidic streams are apparently greatly influenced by the prevailing kinds of landscape-driven influences on water chemistry. In conclusion, well-known negative impacts of anthropogenic acidity on diversity and function may not apply to naturally acidic systems that are chemically and biologically heterogeneous.

Author(s):  
Yoshichika Bando ◽  
Takahito Terashima ◽  
Kenji Iijima ◽  
Kazunuki Yamamoto ◽  
Kazuto Hirata ◽  
...  

The high quality thin films of high-Tc superconducting oxide are necessary for elucidating the superconducting mechanism and for device application. The recent trend in the preparation of high-Tc films has been toward “in-situ” growth of the superconducting phase at relatively low temperatures. The purpose of “in-situ” growth is to attain surface smoothness suitable for fabricating film devices but also to obtain high quality film. We present the investigation on the initial growth manner of YBCO by in-situ reflective high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) technique and on the structural and superconducting properties of the resulting ultrathin films below 100Å. The epitaxial films have been grown on (100) plane of MgO and SrTiO, heated below 650°C by activated reactive evaporation. The in-situ RHEED observation and the intensity measurement was carried out during deposition of YBCO on the substrate at 650°C. The deposition rate was 0.8Å/s. Fig. 1 shows the RHEED patterns at every stage of deposition of YBCO on MgO(100). All the patterns exhibit the sharp streaks, indicating that the film surface is atomically smooth and the growth manner is layer-by-layer.


1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-541
Author(s):  
G. D. Howell ◽  
P.E.J. Green ◽  
C.A. Field ◽  
B. Freedman

Abstract Twenty-eight rivers in Atlantic Canada are sampled monthly, and have periods of record dating back as far as 1965. Statistical analysis of water chemistry for rivers in areas of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland that are believed to be sensitive to acidification has revealed that pH was significantly lower during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Annual hydrogen ion export for selected rivers was also greater during this period. This period of relatively low pH and large hydrogen ion export corresponds to a peak of North American sulphur dioxide emission, suggesting that these rivers may be responding to atmospheric loading of anthropogenic mineral acids.


Author(s):  
Karen J. Esler ◽  
Anna L. Jacobsen ◽  
R. Brandon Pratt

Ecosystems are assemblages of organisms interacting with one another and their environment (Chapter 1). Key to the functioning of ecosystems is the flow of energy, carbon, mineral nutrients, and water in these systems. The numerous processes involved are chiefly driven by climate, soil, and fire (Chapter 2). In cases where the key drivers are the same in different areas, then ecosystems should converge in their structure and function, which has been a motivation for comparing across mediterranean-type climate (MTC) regions. Convergence of MTC regions has been evaluated, but such comparisons at the ecosystem level are challenging because ecosystems are complex and dynamic entities. Here we review carbon, nutrient, and water dynamics of mediterranean-type ecosystems in the context of ecosystem function. As nutrients in soils are low in some MTC regions, we review how this has led to unique adaptations to meet this challenge.


2021 ◽  
Vol 410 ◽  
pp. 126958
Author(s):  
Linnea Selegård ◽  
Thirza Poot ◽  
Peter Eriksson ◽  
Justinas Palisaitis ◽  
Per O.Å. Persson ◽  
...  

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