增塑剂DIDP对肝脏氧化应激损伤及VitE拮抗作用研究

研究增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异癸酯(didecyl phthalate, DIDP)致雄性小鼠肝损伤作用及其机理。以雄性BALB/c小鼠为受试动物,随机分为7组,包括溶剂对照组(生理盐水)、4个DIDP染毒组(0.15、1.5、15和150 mg·kg~(-1))、维生素E(vitamin E, VitE)(100 mg·kg~(-1))处理组和DIDP+维生素E处理组(150 mg·kg~(-1)DIDP+100 mg·kg~(-1)VitE),连续灌胃14 d。以肝组织匀浆测定活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione, GSH)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)和细胞凋亡因子半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3(cysteine aspartic proteinase 3, Caspase-3)水平。采用动物自动生化分析仪检测肝功能指标血清中丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase, ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase, AST)、白蛋白(albumin, ALB)水平,并同时观察肝组织的病理变化与荧光染色结果。随着DIDP染毒剂量的增加,小鼠肝组织ROS、MDA和Caspase-3含量逐渐上升,血清ALT和AST水平也逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,血清ALB水平也逐渐降低,差异具有统计学意义(P 0.05,P 0.01); VitE处理组ROS、MDA和Caspase-3含量相应降低,血清ALT和AST水平也相应降低,GSH含量逐渐上升,血清ALB水平也相应上升。小鼠肝组织形态观察结果表明,随着DIDP染毒剂量的增加,小鼠肝组织的病理损伤程度呈上升趋势。研究表明,较高剂量(≥15 mg·kg~(-1))的DIDP能造成小鼠的肝脏损伤与细胞凋亡,抗氧化剂VitE可使肝脏损伤与细胞凋亡减轻,对小鼠肝组织起保护作用,说明氧化应激介导了DIDP对机体的损伤。     

增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯对雄性小鼠生殖毒性的氧化损伤机制

研究增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯(diisononyl phthalate,DINP)对雄性小鼠生殖毒性的氧化损伤机制,以昆明雄性小鼠为受试动物,随机分为7组,包括空白对照组(生理盐水),4个DINP暴露组(0.2、2、20和200 mg·kg~(-1))和褪黑素(melatonin,Mel)对照组50 mg·kg~(-1)、Mel处理组(200 mg·kg~(-1)DINP+50 mg·kg~(-1)Mel),灌胃14 d。以睾丸组织匀浆测定活性氧(ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-OHdG)含量;以睾丸组织细胞测定DNA-蛋白交联(DPC)系数。随着DINP暴露剂量的增加,DINP暴露组睾丸组织ROS、8-OHdG含量和DPC系数逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01); Mel处理组ROS、8-OHdG含量和DPC系数相应降低,GSH含量逐渐上升。雄性小鼠睾丸组织形态观察结果表明,随着DINP暴露剂量的增加,小鼠睾丸组织的病理损伤程度呈上升趋势。实验结果表明,较高剂量(≥20 mg·kg~(-1))的DINP能造成小鼠睾丸组织的病理损伤和氧化损伤,50 mg·kg~(-1)Mel的抗氧化能力可以有效对小鼠睾丸组织起保护作用,使组织损伤减轻,即生殖毒性减弱。     

增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯致小鼠肺细胞氧化损伤作用的研究

为研究增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯(diisononyl phthalate,DINP)对小鼠肺组织的氧化损伤作用,以昆明小鼠为受试动物,随机分为5组,包括1个阴性对照组(生理盐水)和4个DINP染毒组(0.2、2、20和200 mg·kg~(-1)),灌胃14 d。光镜下发现小鼠肺组织形态随染毒剂量的增加,小鼠肺细胞的病理损伤越严重。随着DINP染毒剂量的增加,肺组织匀浆活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量和肺组织细胞DNA-蛋白质交联(DNA-protein crosslink,DPC)系数逐渐上升,还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)含量逐渐降低,各指标呈一定的剂量-效应关系。染毒剂量为20 mg·kg~(-1)时,ROS和MDA含量差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01);染毒剂量为200 mg·kg~(-1)时,上述指标差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。结果表明,较高剂量(≥20 mg·kg~(-1))的DINP能造成小鼠肺组织的氧化损伤和病理损伤。     

邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯致小鼠肾组织氧化损伤的研究

邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯是一种新型替代增塑剂,对其毒性研究已受到广泛关注。为探究邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯对肾组织的氧化损伤作用,将昆明小鼠随机分为5组,包括1个阴性对照组、4个邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯染毒组,按0.5、5、50和500 mg·kg-1四个剂量水平灌胃染毒14天。制备小鼠肾组织切片进行病理学观察,以肾组织匀浆测定活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)和8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine,8-OHd G)的含量,以肾组织细胞悬液测定DNA-蛋白质交联(DNA-protein Crosslink,DPC)系数。随着邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯染毒剂量的升高,小鼠肾组织的损伤程度加重,ROS、MDA、8-OHd G含量和DPC系数逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,各指标均呈一定剂量-效应关系。染毒剂量为5 mg·kg-1时,ROS、DPC系数差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01);染毒剂量为50 mg·kg-1和500 mg·kg-1时,ROS、GSH、8-OHd G、MDA含量和DPC系数差异均有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。结果表明较高剂量(≥50 mg·kg-1)邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯可造成小鼠肾组织氧化损伤。     

过敏症状儿童室内PM_(2.5)对小鼠巨噬细胞的氧化损伤及VE的抗氧化保护作用研究

越来越多的研究提示,主要空气污染物PM_(2.5)暴露浓度的升高与儿童过敏性疾病的发病率有着密切的关系,然而PM_(2.5)暴露与过敏性疾病之间的关联尚未完全阐明。为探究患有过敏症状儿童的室内PM_(2.5)对小鼠巨噬细胞的氧化损伤作用以及维生素E(vitamin E,VE)的抗氧化保护作用,从5户患有1种或1种以上的过敏性症状(如过敏性鼻炎、哮喘)儿童的室内采集PM_(2.5),分别考察了不同剂量PM_(2.5)暴露24 h后如何影响小鼠巨噬细胞的氧化应激水平,指标包括活性氧(ROS),还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH),丙二醛(MDA),8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-OH-dG),以及炎症因子水平,指标包括肿瘤坏死因子ɑ(TNF-ɑ),白介素8β(IL-8β)的影响。结果表明,200μg·mL~(-1)PM_(2.5)暴露组与对照组比较,细胞内ROS积累,出现脂质过氧化以及DNA损伤,并伴有炎症反应的发生,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05或P0.01);VE(50 mg·mL~(-1))+200μg·mL~(-1)PM_(2.5)组的ROS、MDA、8-OHdG、TNF-ɑ、IL-8β含量低于200μg·mL~(-1)PM_(2.5)组,GSH含量高于200μg·mL~(-1)PM_(2.5)组。较高剂量(200μg·mL~(-1))PM_(2.5)可诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞出现氧化损伤,VE在该应激过程中起着一定的保护作用。     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)与卵清白蛋白(OVA)联合染毒对小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织的氧化应激

为研究邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(dibutyl phthalate,DBP)单独染毒及与卵清白蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)联合染毒对小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织氧化应激的作用,将BALB/c小鼠随机分为8组:(1)未处理对照组(生理盐水组);(2)0.5 mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(3)50 mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(4) 50 mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(5) 1.67 mg·kg-1OVA单独染毒组;(6) 0.5 mg·kg-1DBP与1.67 mg· kg-1OVA联合染毒组;(7) 5.0 mg·kg-1 DBP与1.67 mg·kg-1 OVA联合染毒组;(8) 50 mg· kg-1 DBP与1.67 mg·kg-1 OVA联合染毒组.未处理对照组和DBP染毒组每天按体质量给予生理盐水和DBP灌胃.2周后,测定肺脏组织活性氧物种(ROS)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和丙二醛(MDA)含量以及脾脏组织ROS、GSH含量.结果显示,联合染毒组相较于其他组的肺脏组织各指标均有不同的显著性差异(P＜0.05),联合染毒组的脾脏组织中ROS含量较其他组有显著差异(P＜0.05),而GSH含量无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结果说明,DBP与OVA联合染毒能够增强肺脏组织的氧化应激作用,对于脾脏组织的氧化应激作用不明显;DBP在联合染毒中显示一定免疫佐剂效应.     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯对KM小鼠神经行为学的影响及芒果苷的拮抗作用

探究邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)对小鼠神经行为学影响的剂量-反应关系,以及芒果苷(MAG)的拮抗作用。36只性成熟雄性KM小鼠随机分为4组:(1)生理盐水组,(2) 5 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组,(3) 25 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组,(4)125 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组,实验周期28d。应用国际通用的高架十字迷宫(EPM)和旷场实验(OFT)检测DBP暴露后KM小鼠的神经行为学变化;通过脑组织病理学切片,检测KM小鼠的靶组织脑海马CA1区病理变化;通过测定活性氧(ROS)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)、DNA-蛋白质交联系数(DPC),检测KM小鼠的脑海马组织氧化损伤水平。以MAG作为抗氧化剂,36只KM小鼠随机分为4组:(1)生理盐水组,(2) 50 mg·kg~(-1)MAG组;(3) 125 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组;(4) MAG+DBP组,进行神经行为测试,同时评估各组KM小鼠脑海马组织氧化损伤。与对照组比较,随着DBP暴露剂量的升高,125 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组KM小鼠进入开放臂次数减少,停留时间偏短,运动距离较短,运动轨迹偏离中央区域;脑海马CA1区锥体神经细胞排列紊乱,细胞形态肿胀变形,树突缩短甚至消失;且脑系数下降,ROS、MDA含量及DPC系数逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,且差异均有统计学意义(P0.05, P0.01);加入拮抗剂MAG处理后,与125 mg·kg~(-1)DBP组比较,MAG+DBP组小鼠神经行为学出现一定程度的缓解,脑海马CA1区病理程度减轻,脑系数上升,ROS、MDA含量及DPC系数出现一定程度的下降,GSH含量出现一定程度的上升,且差异均有统计学意义(P0.05, P0.01)。DBP所致小鼠的神经行为学变化可能与脑海马组织的氧化损伤有关; MAG可通过降低小鼠脑组织氧化应激水平,对DBP暴露所致的小鼠神经行为学影响起到一定的保护作用。     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)与卵清白蛋白(OVA)联合染毒对小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织氧化应激的作用

为研究邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(dibutylphthalate,DBP)单独染毒及与卵清白蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)联合染毒对小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织氧化应激的作用,将BALB/c小鼠随机分为8组:(1)未处理对照组(生理盐水组);(2)0.5mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(3)5.0mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(4)50mg·kg-1DBP染毒组;(5)1.67mg·kg-1OVA单独染毒组;(6)0.5mg·kg-1DBP与1.67mg·kg-1OVA联合染毒组;(7)5.0mg·kg-1DBP与1.67mg·kg-1OVA联合染毒组;(8)50mg·kg-1DBP与1.67mg·kg-1OVA联合染毒组。未处理对照组和DBP染毒组每天按体质量给予生理盐水和DBP灌胃。2周后,测定肺脏组织活性氧物种(ROS)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)和丙二醛(MDA)含量以及脾脏组织ROS、GSH含量。结果显示,联合染毒组相较于其他组的肺脏组织各指标均有不同的显著性差异(P<0.05),联合染毒组的脾脏组织中ROS含量较其他组有显著差异(P<0.05),而GSH含量无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结果说明,DBP与OVA联合染毒能够增强肺脏组织的氧化应激作用,对于脾脏组织的氧化应激作用不明显;DBP在联合染毒中显示一定免疫佐剂效应。     

纳米Fe3O4对小鼠肺细胞的氧化损伤

纳米Fe3O4作为一种功能材料,在生物医药、生物靶向材料、微波吸收材料和高梯度磁分离器等方面应用前景广阔,其潜在的生物毒性也备受关注。为研究纳米Fe3O4对生物体可能造成的氧化损伤,以昆明小鼠为受试体,设置5、10、20和40mg·kg-14个染毒组,腹腔注射染毒7d后,测定小鼠肺组织中活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)、还原型谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)的含量。结果显示,随着纳米Fe3O4染毒剂量的升高,肺组织ROS和MDA含量逐渐上升,GSH含量逐渐降低,各指标均呈一定的剂量-效应关系。剂量≥10mg·kg-1,肺组织ROS含量与对照组相比有显著差异(p<0.05);剂量≥20mg·kg-1,肺组织MDA含量与对照组相比有显著差异(p<0.05);剂量≥40mg·kg-1,肺组织GSH含量与对照组相比有显著差异(p<0.05)。研究表明,较高剂量(≥20mg·kg-1)的纳米Fe3O4颗粒材料会引起小鼠肺细胞的氧化损伤。     

碲化镉量子点暴露对小鼠凝血相关因子的影响

研究碲化镉量子点(cadmium telluride quantum dots, Cd Te QDs)对小鼠凝血相关因子的影响,进一步探讨QDs的心血管毒性机制。将48只雄性ICR小鼠随机分成6组,每组8只。分别使用不同剂量(0.15μmol·kg~(-1)、1.5μmol·kg~(-1)和15μmol·kg~(-1))的Cd Te QDs和生理盐水一次性经尾静脉注射染毒小鼠1 d,15μmol·kg~(-1)剂量的Cd Te QDs染毒3 d和7 d,检测小鼠血浆中凝血相关因子的含量变化。结果显示,与对照组相比,随着染毒剂量增加小鼠组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(t-PA)和纤维蛋白原(FIB)含量逐渐增高,组织因子途径抑制物(TFPI)含量逐渐降低,具有明显的剂量-效应关系。除15μmol·kg~(-1)剂量组外,组织因子(TF)、凝血因子XII(FXII)和纤溶酶原(Plg)含量具有升高的趋势,抗凝血酶Ⅲ(AT-Ⅲ)含量则无明显变化;随着染毒时间增加,TF、FXII、FIB、Plg和t-PA含量有明显的先升高后降低的变化趋势,TFPI含量在1 d达到最低,之后逐渐升高,AT-Ⅲ含量则在7 d达到最低。Cd Te QDs急性染毒可引起小鼠血浆中TF、FXII、FIB、TFPI、Plg和t-PA的含量明显改变,并且具有不同的变化趋势。提示Cd Te QDs可能会激活凝血系统和纤溶系统,抑制抗凝系统,从而引起凝血功能紊乱。     

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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central