交通污染区城市绿化植物硫含量分布

为探讨城市绿化植物对交通环境中SO2的响应，以远离城市道路的相对清洁区公园生长的植物为对照植物，采集了广东省被广泛栽种的18种园林绿化植物的不同方位的叶片和树皮样品，用硫酸钡比浊法测定了每种植物样品在交通污染区面向机动车行驶方向、面向人行道方向及相对清洁区的植物样品等不同方位的植物叶片和树皮硫含量，分析了绿化植物在同一株植物的不同生长部位和不同环境中硫含量的分布特征。结果表明，交通污染区所有样品的叶片硫和树皮硫含量均高于相对清洁区的样品。其中，远离工厂的交通污染区生长的同一株植物，离机动车道越近，硫含量越高；靠近工厂的交通污染区的同一植物，离工厂近的部位的植物树皮硫含量高于面向机动车道一侧的植物硫含量。     

惠州绿化乔木叶片及其叶面降尘对大气SO2污染的生物监测

采用常规采样及碱片挂片法同步监测广东省惠州市大气SO2体积分数,用ICP-AES测定了惠州市不同功能区的2种主要绿化树种大叶榕(Ficus virens Ait var.sublanceolata(Miq.) Corner)、紫荆(Bauhinia blakeana)叶片及其叶面降尘的硫质量分数。结果表明,不同功能区植物叶片和降尘的硫质量分数差异显著,其综合污染指数(PI)以商业交通区、工业区、居住区、清洁区的趋势递减。叶片中硫的质量分数随春、夏、秋季而增长,季节差异显著。植物叶片、降尘中硫质量分数随交通流量的减少而降低。叶片和叶面降尘中硫的质量分数与大气硫酸盐化速率三者显著相关,大叶榕和紫荆与降尘协同生物监测大气SO2的二元数学模型的相关系数分别为R=0.995和R=0.990,明显优于植物与硫酸盐化速率监测SO2的常规一元数学模型。表明大叶榕、紫荆叶片及其叶面降尘均可作为城市区域大气SO2污染的有效指示剂,叶片的长期效益和季节效益显著,降尘则短期效益显著;两者协同监测,可靠性和灵敏度更高,应用前景广阔,可为地方和区域环境监测和评价提供参考。     

厦门14种主要树种吸收硫及固碳能力

对厦门市14种主要树种吸硫强度以及不同环境(清洁环境和污染环境)对其固碳能力的影响进行研究。结果表明:不同树种叶片的吸硫强度在0.04~1.73 mg/g。单位绿地面积不同树种净化SO2量为8.84~1 513.05kg/(hm2·a),其中天竺桂最大,其次为黄槿、芒果和刺桐,洋紫荆最小。多数树种在污染环境下单位绿地面积年固碳量受到明显抑制,如大叶榕、高山榕、小叶榕和印度紫檀等树种。然而还有些树种其固碳能力在污染环境下受到促进,如鸡冠刺桐、夹竹桃和小叶榄仁,表明这些树种对污染环境有较强的适应能力。综上所述,夹竹桃、小叶榄仁和天竺桂等树种既能吸收相当数量的硫,同时其固碳能力未受到削弱,表明这些树种是适宜在污染环境下种植的树种。     

钛基燃烧催化剂的抗硫性能

本文研究了钛基非贵金属燃烧催化剂的硫中毒过程及载体吸硫特性。结果表明,催化剂的抗硫能力与载体吸硫量有关,不同催化剂的抗硫性能为:Cat.3>Cat.4>Cat.5>Cat.1>Cat.2,本文还讨论了硫中毒机理。     

三江平原典型湿地的土壤植物总硫及水中硫酸盐的分布特征

以三江平原的3种主要沼泽类型——小叶樟沼泽、乌拉苔草沼泽、毛果苔草沼泽为研究对象,对其土壤和植物中的总硫质量分数及水中硫酸盐质量分数进行分析。3种沼泽土壤总硫质量分数的顺序为小叶樟沼泽(622.4 mg/kg)<乌拉苔草沼泽(820.5 mg/kg)<毛果苔草沼泽(1022.4 mg/kg);植物总硫质量分数的顺序为小叶樟(1638.5 mg/kg)<乌拉苔草(1796.9 mg/kg)<毛果苔草(1892.8 mg/kg);水中硫酸盐的质量分数为小叶樟沼泽(1.69 mg/kg)<乌拉苔草沼泽(1.81 mg/kg)<毛果苔草沼泽(2.00 mg/kg)。并探讨了典型湿地生态系统中硫质量分数的影响因素。     

太原城区绿化植物受氯气伤害的特征及其抗性的研究

本文采用开顶式熏气试验技术，对太原城区栽植的某些树种、花卉和草坪植物的叶片受氯气污染的伤害特征及其熏气后的“远后效应”进行了研究，并根据这些植物的抗氯气能力进行了分级、提出适于氯气污染区的绿化植物和监测植物。     

广州市区植物叶片重金属元素含量及其大气污染评价

文章通过对广州市区植物叶片中重金属元素含量的分析,研究了植物大气环境污染指数,探讨了植物叶片重金属元素含量与城市大气环境污染之间的关系。结果表明,植物叶片中Cu,Pb,Cd,Cr元素污染都较严重,在重污染区这些元素的含量明显高于清洁对照区;用植物污染指数可以综合评价大气环境质量状况;利用植物叶片内的重金属含量变化,为大气污染生物监测和环境质量评价提供了科学依据。     

嘉兴市化工区土壤-植物-大气连续体硫氟含量水平变异特征

采用典型设点调查法对嘉兴市北部化工区污染源正西方向上3条样带(分别距污染源100、600和1 200 m)和无污染区(距污染源8 000 m)的土壤、28种绿化树种叶片和空气进行取样分析,以明确该区域土壤-植物-大气连续体(SPAC)硫、氟含量在水平方向上的变异特征。结果表明:土壤硫质量分数随水平距离增加而减少,而土壤氟质量分数先增加后减少;表层土壤硫质量分数最高(0.036%),而20 cm深处土壤氟质量分数最高(35.7 mg?kg~(-1))。乔木、小乔木和灌木叶片硫浓度均随水平距离增加而降低,但叶片氟浓度先增加后降低;各样带上乔木叶片硫浓度均高于小乔木和灌木,而氟浓度则比较接近,灌木叶片硫、氟浓度在水平方向上的变异均大于乔木和小乔木。空气中SO_2质量浓度峰值(0.176 mg?m~(-3))出现在100 m样带上,随水平距离增加而持续减小,但HF质量浓度的峰值(1.487μg?m~(-3))出现在600 m样带上,二者浓度呈现不同的水平变异特征。对土壤、树木叶片和空气硫、氟含量的相关性分析表明:空气中的SO2和HF可能是土壤中的硫和氟的主要来源,凋落物的贡献次之。总体上,研究区SPAC系统硫、氟含量水平变异特征是统一的,3种介质通过相互作用共同调节SPAC系统硫、氟的动态平衡。对于SPAC系统硫、氟含量水平变异特征的认识有利于更好地控制城市工业区硫、氟污染,采取相应的土壤和植物修复措施,营造更加美好的城市生态人居环境。     

湖南湘西铅锌矿区植物对重金属的积累

调查了湖南湘西铅锌矿区六个矿业废弃地的植被组成,采集了55科、152种共452份植物样品和74份土壤样品,分析了植物及土壤样品Zn、Mn、Cd、Pb和Cu的含量.结果显示,所有植物样品中Zn、Mn、Cd、Pb和Cu的平均含量分别为579、370、90.7、28.6和13.0 mg kg-1(干物质量).采自大田湾样点的满天星(Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides)叶片中镉含量最高,为310 mg kg-1(干物质量),其次是采自三立样点的加拿大杨(Populus canadensis)和地枇杷(Ficus tikoua),它们叶片中镉含量分别为231和212 mg kg-1(干物质量).镉含量超过100 mg kg-1(干物质量)的植物还有大田湾的醴肠(Eclipta prostrata)、鬼针草(Bidens bipinnata)、苦蘵(Physalis angulata)和半边莲(Lobelia chinensis),以及三立的苍耳(Xanthium sibiricum)和野艾蒿(Artemisia umbrosa)等,这些植物可能都具有超积累镉的潜力.调查区内,有些植物能积累多种较高浓度的重金属,如美洲商陆(Phytolacca Americana)、苍耳(Xanthium sibiricum)、光叶楮(Broussonetia papyrifera)和玉米(Zea mays)等,这些植物可用于重金属污染土壤的植物提取,有些植物如白茅(Imperata cylindrical)和五节芒(Miscanthus floridulus)等虽重金属含量较低,但具有发达的根系,因而可用于重金属污染土壤的植物固定.     

秋季羰基硫在植物与大气间的交换

利用静态箱法研究了秋季羰基硫(COS)在六种北京常见树种与大气间的交换．结果表明：法国梧桐、槐树、龙爪槐、玉兰、柳树对COS有吸收,油松没有吸收,树木与大气间COS的交换通量受树种、环境温度、光照、COS初始浓度等因素的影响．一般来说．温度高、光照强时,以上树种与大气间COS的交换强;空气中COS初始浓度高时,植物对COS的吸收通量高,植物对COS的吸收达到饱和较植物对CO2的吸收以及异戊二烯的排放持续时间长．     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.