PFOS对星形胶质细胞表观遗传调控作用初探

脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)甲基化在全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)神经毒性中的作用已证实,但表观遗传修饰中其他调控因子在PFOS对星形胶质细胞毒性中的影响仍有待探索。本文以大鼠原代星形胶质细胞为体外生物体系,建立24 h PFOS(0、25、50和100μmol·L~(-1))暴露模型,通过观察PFOS暴露对星形胶质细胞表观遗传调控主要分子DNA甲基化酶(DNMTs)、组蛋白去乙酰化酶(HDACs)和小泛素化修饰物(SUMOs)的影响,初步明确表观遗传调控机制参与PFOS神经毒性作用。采用Hoechst 33258检测细胞凋亡,利用ELISA试剂盒检测HDACs含量,以实时荧光定量PCR考察DNMTs、HDACs和SUMOs基因表达。结果显示,星形胶质细胞暴露于一定浓度PFOS(≥25μmol·L~(-1))时产生凋亡现象(P0.05),HDACs含量升高(P0.05),且DNMT1、HDAC1/2/4与SUMO-1的基因表达显著升高(P0.05);而当PFOS浓度高于50μmol·L~(-1)时,可显著诱导DNMT3A、SUMO-2的基因表达(P0.05); DNMT3B在PFOS≥25μmol·L~(-1)时,其基因表达具有升高趋势,但不具统计学显著性(P0.05)。结果表明,PFOS可以影响星形胶质细胞的表观遗传修饰;表观遗传修饰可能是PFOS神经毒性作用机制之一。     

磷酸三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)酯对L-02肝细胞氧化应激及凋亡损伤机制

在各类环境介质及生物体甚至人体中都检测到有机磷阻燃剂磷酸三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)酯(tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate,TDCPP)的存在,为探究TDCPP对人体健康的毒性作用,选取人体正常肝细胞L-02细胞作为模型,考察在体外暴露条件下TDCPP对L-02细胞的细胞存活率、凋亡、氧化应激以及p53通路相关基因方面的影响。MTT结果显示,24 h、48 h、72h的半数致死浓度(LC50)分别为:116.56μmol·L~(-1)、81.89μmol·L~(-1)、65.11μmol·L~(-1)。TDCPP暴露24 h条件下,随着TDCPP暴露浓度的增加,细胞的凋亡率和活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平也逐渐增加,100μmol·L~(-1)浓度条件下凋亡高达25.58%±1.61%,ROS水平是对照组的2.07±0.07倍。实时荧光定量PCR法检测线粒体凋亡通路相关基因的表达情况,在TDCPP刺激下,Bax、caspase-3、caspase-9、p53和Apaf-1相对表达量增加,Bcl-2相对表达量减少。蛋白免疫印迹法检测发现Bax/Bcl-2和caspase-3均随浓度增加而递增。本研究为综合评估TDCPP的生物和环境健康毒理效应提供了实验数据及理论支持。     

BDE47对Neuro-2a细胞毒性效应及作用机制

探讨2,2',4,4'-四溴联苯醚(2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenylether,BDE 47)对神经细胞Neuro-2a的毒性影响及机制。将Neuro-2a细胞暴露于浓度为6.25、12.5、25、50、100μmol·L-1的BDE 47,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率、荧光探针DCFH-DA检测细胞活性氧生成量、吖啶橙检测溶酶体膜通透性、罗丹明123检测细胞线粒体膜电位、Annexin V-FITC检测细胞凋亡、Western blot检测组织蛋白酶B(Cathespin B)表达。结果显示,与对照组相比,12.5、25、50、100μmol·L~(-1)BDE 47显著降低Neuro-2a细胞存活率和细胞线粒体膜电位(P0.05);6.25、12.5、25、50、100μmol·L~(-1)BDE 47显著诱导活性氧含量升高(P0.05),增加Neuro-2a细胞溶酶体膜通透性(P0.05),诱导Neuro-2a细胞凋亡(P0.05),升高Cathespin B蛋白表达(P0.05)。结果表明,BDE 47可能通过介导溶酶体-活性氧-线粒体环路,诱导Neuro-2a细胞凋亡。     

铅和得克隆联合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的神经毒性作用

以斑马鱼(Danio rerio)为研究对象,探讨铅(Pb)、得克隆(DP)及二者联合急性暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的神经毒性作用。结果表明,Pb(5、20μg·L~(-1))和DP(15、60μg·L~(-1))单独暴露均会引起斑马鱼自主运动频率增加,触摸反应能力和自由游泳活力下降,并且抑制初级运动神经元的生长,加剧尾部细胞凋亡。但与20μg·L~(-1)Pb单独暴露相比,高剂量联合暴露(20μg·L~(-1)Pb+60μg·L~(-1)DP)使斑马鱼的自主运动频率显著降低(P0.05),触摸反应能力和自由游泳活力显著增强(P0.05),初级运动神经元轴突长度显著增加(P0.05),尾部细胞凋亡减少。与5μg·L~(-1)Pb单独暴露相比,低剂量联合暴露(5μg·L~(-1)Pb+15μg·L~(-1)DP)也显著减少斑马鱼尾部的细胞凋亡(P0.05)。上述结果表明,Pb或DP单独暴露对斑马鱼均可引起神经毒性作用;但二者联合暴露对斑马鱼自主运动、触摸反应以及自由游泳活力的影响则表现为拮抗作用。     

铅对人Bel-7402肝癌细胞毒性及EGFP基因DNA甲基化的影响

以体外培养人Bel-7402肝癌细胞为模型,研究铅的3种常见化合物氯化铅(Pb Cl2)、乙酸铅(Pb(CH3COO)2)、硝酸铅(Pb(NO3)2)的细胞毒性和去甲基化表观遗传毒性。应用MTS方法检测细胞的存活率,以前期研究建立的评价方法评价铅化合物的去甲基化表观遗传毒性。结果显示,Pb Cl2、Pb(CH3COO)2、Pb(NO3)2均会抑制Bel-7402细胞的增值,计算求得Pb Cl2、Pb(CH3COO)2、Pb(NO3)2相应的50%细胞存活浓度(IC50)值分别为2 524μmol·L~(-1)、1 977μmol·L~(-1)、1 899μmol·L~(-1);80%细胞存活浓度(IC80)值分别为264μmol·L~(-1)、221μmol·L~(-1)、281μmol·L~(-1),通过对3种染毒物不同染毒浓度的细胞存活率进行随机区组设计的方差分析显示3种化合物间的差异无统计学意义(F=0.11;P=0.897)。去甲基化表观遗传毒性检测结果显示,Pb Cl2、Pb(CH3COO)2、Pb(NO3)2均可观察到明显的去甲基化表观遗传毒性,其相对于5-氮杂-2-脱氧胞苷(5-Aza-Cd R)的去甲基化表观遗传毒性当量分别为2.82E-03、1.50E-03、5.09E-04,三者间也无显著性差异。结果表明,铅化合物会使Bel-7402细胞的细胞存活率和转染进细胞的质粒上增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因启动子的DNA甲基化水平下降。     

三氯卡班可以影响肾小管上皮细胞的屏障功能

三氯卡班(TCC)是一种被广泛应用于个人护理用品中的广谱型亲脂性杀菌剂,已在多种环境介质和生物体中检出。因其潜在的环境蓄积、生物累积和生物毒性效应,日益受到学者们的关注。借助TCC对NRK-52E(大鼠肾小管上皮细胞)的毒性暴露实验,通过检测细胞活力、以及与跨膜电阻和紧密连接相关的连接黏附分子1(JAM~(-1),junctional adhesion molecule 1)的蛋白表达水平,研究了TCC潜在的肾脏毒性效应。结果显示,10μmol·L~(-1)TCC处理48 h时培养细胞呈现不规则的集落;10μmol·L~(-1)和20μmol·L~(-1)TCC处理NRK-52E 24 h、48 h和72 h后可以显著抑制细胞生长;3.57μmol·L~(-1)TCC(生长抑制的48 hIC20)处理NRK-52E 48 h可以显著抑制细胞间紧密连接蛋白JAM~(-1)的表达量,并降低跨膜电阻,影响肾脏的屏障功能。本研究的结果能够为进一步揭示TCC对动物的毒害机制、评估其对动物的健康风险提供数据支持。     

PCB77和Cd共同暴露诱导的线粒体损伤及其介导的联合毒性效应

本文以人肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721为生物模型,研究并比较了PCB77和Cd~(2+)对SMMC-7721细胞的单一与联合毒性.通过细胞活性检测发现,当Cd~(2+)暴露浓度为20μmol·L-1,PCB77暴露浓度为25μmol·L~(-1),暴露时间为48 h时,两种污染物产生明显的联合毒性.二者共同暴露虽然不影响细胞膜的完整性,但引起了线粒体膜电位下降、膜通透性显著增加,进而诱导细胞凋亡,同时胞内ROS水平升高.结果表明,PCB77和Cd~(2+)的共同暴露可引发联合肝细胞毒性,其毒性机理是线粒体膜电位下降和膜通透性增加,进而引发细胞凋亡.     

五氯酚(PCP)对鸡肝癌细胞(LMH)毒性效应的机制研究

五氯酚(pentachlorophenol,PCP)是一种持久性有机污染物,广泛用于灭钉螺、木材防腐、除草剂等方面,由于PCP在环境中的持久性和生物累积性,其对生态环境和人类健康造成潜在危害。本文以鸡肝癌细胞系(chicken hepatoma cells,LMH)为受试对象,探讨了PCP对细胞色素P450(CYP450)和抗氧化系统的影响。MTT结果显示LMH细胞经不同浓度PCP暴露后,呈现出先促进细胞增殖后抑制的J-型曲线,PCP对LMH细胞24 h的半数效应浓度(24 h-EC50)为427.52μmol·L~(-1)。LMH细胞在1.56、6.25、25、100μmol·L~(-1)PCP染毒条件下可增加细胞EROD、MROD、PROD和BFC活性,并可使CYP1A、1B、1C、2H及3A家族基因mRNA表达水平升高。LMH细胞在0.4~100μmol·L~(-1)PCP染毒下可显著降低硫酸基转移酶(SULT1B1和SULT 1C1)基因mRNA水平。此外,LMH细胞在6.25、25、100μmol·L~(-1)PCP染毒下可引起细胞内ROS升高,同时PCP(1.56~100μmol·L~(-1))可显著增加细胞内MDA含量和降低GSH/GSSH比值。这些结果表明细胞色素P450(CYP450)基因及酶活性的变化、细胞内ROS和MDA含量及GSH/GSSH可作为评价LMH细胞PCP毒性效应的敏感性生物标志物。此研究在细胞水平上利用多个评价指标研究PCP对细胞的毒性效应,为PCP环境风险评价提供依据。     

5种卤代乙酰胺类消毒副产物对小鼠淋巴瘤细胞Tk基因致突变性研究

卤代乙酰胺类(HAc Am)消毒副产物(DBPs)是饮用水中新兴含氮类DBPs之一。为探究HAc Ams的致突变性,选择小鼠淋巴瘤细胞作为受试细胞,分别考察了一氯代乙酰胺、二氯代乙酰胺、三氯代乙酰胺、一碘代乙酰胺、二碘代乙酰胺(DIAc Ams)共5种HAc Ams对小鼠淋巴瘤细胞Tk基因突变的影响。结果表明,在0.05~20μmol·L~(-1)暴露浓度下,5种HacAms类DBPs对小鼠淋巴瘤细胞呈现出一定的细胞毒性,随着暴露浓度的升高,细胞毒性增强。暴露4 h后,5种HacAms中只有DIAc-Ams呈现出显著的致突变性(暴露剂量高于5μmol·L~(-1)),且以小集落为主。上述研究结果为研究HacAms对哺乳动物细胞的致突变作用提供了基础数据。     

有机磷及氨基甲酸酯类农药单独和联合作用对PC_(12)细胞DNA损伤的影响

研究有机磷类农药毒死蜱和对硫磷、氨基甲酸酯类农药克百威和残杀威单独及联合染毒大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤株(PC12细胞)所致的DNA损伤情况及联合作用模式。分别以0μmol·L~(-1)、50μmol·L~(-1)、100μmol·L~(-1)、200μmol·L~(-1)、400μmol·L~(-1)的有机磷农药毒死蜱、对硫磷与0μmol·L~(-1)、25μmol·L~(-1)、50μmol·L~(-1)、100μmol·L~(-1)、200μmol·L~(-1)的氨基甲酸酯类农药克百威、残杀威单独及两两联合染毒PC12细胞12 h后进行彗星实验,采用彗尾长度、尾部DNA百分含量、尾矩3个指标来衡量DNA损伤程度。结果表明:毒死蜱、克百威、对硫磷、残杀威染毒PC12细胞12 h后,细胞出现拖尾,呈现典型的彗星图像。染毒后PC12细胞彗尾长度、尾部DNA百分含量、尾矩较对照组显著增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。析因分析表明,无论低剂量联合还是高剂量联合,毒死蜱与克百威、对硫磷与残杀威均有交互作用(P0.01),作用模式为协同作用。以上结果提示,有机磷及氨基甲酸酯类农药单独及联合作用均可引起PC12细胞DNA损伤,联合作用后损伤程度要高于单独作用,且低剂量和高剂量联合时均存在交互作用,作用模式为协同作用。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.