单甲脒农药对土壤微生物种群和土壤酶活性的影响

研究了单甲脒（Ｎ＇－２，４－二甲苯基－Ｎ－甲基甲脒，简称ＤＭＡ）对土壤微生物种群和土壤酶活性的影响．田间试验表明，喷洒单甲脒盐酸盐（ＤＭＡＨ）于棉花植株对土壤微生物种群和土壤酶活性无明显影响．实验室试验表明，投加ＤＭＡＨ于土壤对土壤微生物种群有不同的抑制作用；当ＤＭＡＨ在土壤中的浓度为２０ｍｇ／ｇ时，好氧异养菌总量开始降低，硝化细菌和放线菌、真菌的土壤ＤＭＡＨ抑制浓度分别为０．５ｍｇ／ｇ和０．１ｍｇ／ｇ．ＤＭＡＨ对土壤酶活性的影响亦不相同，脱氢酶对土壤中ＤＭＡＨ含量为１０ｍｇ／ｇ时其活性即有明显的减弱，而过氧化氨酶对ＤＭＡ的耐受性相当高，其活性的抑制浓度达５００ｍｇ／ｇ．试验还证明了土壤中ＤＭＡ的微生物降解作用．当ＤＭＡ在土壤中的浓度为５０～５００ｇ／ｇ时，其消解速率可从８．７５ｍｍ·ｋｇ－１·ｄ－１提高到４８ｍｇ·ｋｇ－１·ｄ－１．     

土壤中水溶性有机碳与铜的相互影响

通过向土壤溶液中加入Ｃｕ２＋和可溶性有机碳(ＤＯＣ),研究它们之间的相互作用．结果发现,加入铜可以显著改变土壤水溶性有机碳(ＷＳＯＣ)的吸着平衡,并降低了其水溶性．影响程度在０．８ｍｍｏｌ·ｌ－１Ｃｕ以下随铜浓度的增加而增加．加入０．５ｍｍｏｌ·ｌ－１铜的土壤中 ＷＳＯＳ含量从 ０．２７ｍｇ Ｃ·ｇ－１降至０．０４７ｍｇ Ｃ·ｇ－１,吸着系数从６．６×１０－３ｌ·ｇ－１降至３．３×１０－３ｌ·ｇ－１．另一方面,用Ｆｒｅｕｎｄｌｉｃｈ方程描述铜离子在土壤中的吸附行为(液相浓度单位取ｍｍｏｌ·ｌ－１,固相浓度取ｍｍｏｌ·ｇ－１土),ｋ＝９．ｌ×１０－３;ｎ＝３．４０． 加入ＤＯＣ后,ｋ＝９．２×１０－３;ｎ＝３．６６,没有明显改变土壤对铜的吸附性能．加入小同浓度的ＤＯＣ,结果仍说明该浓度范围内ＤＯＣ(＜８ｍｇ Ｃ·ｌ－１)的加入没有明显改变土壤对铜的吸附性能．     

湖南主要农田土壤中氮的形态

本试验采集了湖南省八种主要母质发育的２３个农田土壤耕层样本，其中水田土壤１６个，旱地土壤７个．将土壤氮分为七级．即交换性ＮＨ４＋十ＮＯ３－，水解性ＮＨ４＋，氨基糖氮，可溶性碱稳定态氮，酸溶性腐殖质态氮，固定态ＮＨ４＋，难溶性腐殖质态氮。分析结果表明，土壤中交换性ＮＨ４＋十ＮＯ３－的含量为２２．０土９．０ｍｇ／ｋｇ，占全氮的１．７土０．７％；水解性ＮＨ４＋为３２４．４土１０９．５ｍｇ／ｋｇ，占全氮的２３．９±５．６％；氨基糖氮为１１８．９土４３．０ｍｇ／ｋｇ，占全氮的９．１土３．２％；可溶性碱稳定态氮为４９７．１土２０５．８ｍｇ／ｋｇ，占全氮的３６．２土８．３％；酸溶性腐殖质态氮为２９．２土１０．２ｍｇ／ｋｇ，占全氮的１３土０．８％；固定态ＮＨ４＋为４７．２土２４．３ｍｇ／ｋｇ，占全氮的３．６±１．７％；难溶性腐殖质态氮为３４１．３土２７０．８ｍｇ／ｋｇ，占全氮的２２．２土１１．６％。     

整地施肥对尾叶桉生长及土壤性状的影响

整地施肥试验结果表明，全垦、带垦和穴垦三种整地方式以及施肥对尾叶按造林成活率和保存率均无明显的影响，成活率在９５％－９８．８％之间，保存率在９２．１％－９７．７％之间．整地能改变土壤性状，如土壤孔隙度全垦为５７．８８％。穴垦为４９．４２％；对林木生长有促进作用，但作用效果很快减少，如造林３年后的林木材积全垦、带垦分别为穴垦的１３６．４％和１２０．０％，５年后却分别下降到１１６．５％和１０８．３％．施肥可提高土壤养分，促进林木生长．造林５年后的调查结果，穴垦施肥林地的土壤有机质、速效Ｎ分别为１５．４４７ｇ／ｋｇ和４９．２３０ｍｇ／ｋｇ，林木年均树高生长为１．２５ｍ；不施肥处理的有机质、速效Ｎ分别为１０．３８８ｇ／ｋｇ和３５．７１５ｍｇ／ｋｇ，林木年平均生长量为０．３５ｍ；林木材积施肥处理的为不施肥的９．８倍．整地施肥还可提高林木叶片的养分含量．     

异丙隆在土壤和小麦中的降解与残留

在扬州和聊城两地进行了除草剂异丙隆在小麦上和麦田土壤中的残留动态和最终残留量试验，结果表明，异丙隆在小麦植株和土壤中消解较快，消解半衰期分别３－４ｄ和８－１４ｄ；收获时小麦籽粒中异丙隆残留量小于０．０４ｍｇ／ｋｇ。推荐暂定异丙隆在小麦上ＭＲＬ值为０．５ｍｇ／ｋｇ。２５％异丙性可湿性粉剂，按７．５ｋｇ／ｈｍ＾２用量，在次年早春使用，籽粒中异丙隆最终残留量不会超过ＭＲＬ值，对小麦是安全的。     

烟气中N2O生成反应的动力学研究

采用静态法 模拟道气中对Ｎ２Ｏ生成有影响的组分ＮＯ，ＳＯ２和Ｈ２Ｏ，以及温度进行了动力学研究。结果表明，随着ＮＯ，ＳＯ２和Ｈ２Ｏ浓度的增加反反应时间的加长，Ｎ２Ｏ的生态量增加，反应温升高，Ｎ２Ｏ的生成速率下降。将实验数据用尝试法和微分法进行处理，得到如下结果在Ｎ２Ｏ的生成反中对ＮＯ，ＳＯ２和Ｈ２Ｏ均为一级反应，反应速率常数分别为：２．０＊１０＾－５，８．９＊１０＾－６，８．８＊１０＾－８ｍ＾３．ｍ     

PCDDs在氯仿溶液中的紫外光解

使用ＮＤＣ－３型化学反应仪、３００Ｗ汞灯和１５ｍｌ反应管，于４３℃进行了２，３，７，８－ＴＣＤＤ，１，２，３，７，８－Ｐ５ＣＤＤ，１，２，３，４，７，８－ＨｘＣＤＤ，１，２，３，４，６，７，８－ＨｐＣＤＤ和ＯＣＤＤ在氯仿溶中的紫外光解，其一级反应速率常数测得值依次为０．５４，０．２９，０．１５，０．１５和０．１９ｍｉｎ＾－１，反应半衰期ｔ１／２均在５ｍｉｎ以内，还原脱氯是主要的光解途径，并有大量低     

土壤中二价铁离子的伏安法测定

利用二价铁离子的联吡啶络合物,示差脉冲伏安法测定土壤中的二价铁离子．结果表明:二价铁离子的浓度与铁联吡啶络合物的峰电流在１．６×１０－６－９．８×１０－６ｍｏｌ·ｌ－１和９．８×１０－６－６．６× １０－５ｍｏｌ·ｌ－１浓度范围内成正比,检测下限为４．１× １０－７ｍｏｌ·ｌ－１,相对标准偏差为０．８４%(ｎ＝６)．在该方法中,联吡啶的浓度对二价铁离子联吡啶络合物的峰电位、峰电流及半峰宽度有影响,而测定体系的ｐＨ值和支持电解质的浓度对二价铁离子联吡啶络合物的峰电位、峰电流及半峰宽度影响较小．     

溴氟菊酯的光解,水解与土壤降解

在实验室测定了溴氟菊酯的光解、不同ｐＨ条件下的水解以及在太湖水稻土、江西红壤与东北黑土等３种不同土壤中的降解。试验结果表明：在３００Ｗ低压汞灯下，溴氟菊酯的水相溶液与其石油醚相溶液中的光解均呈二级反应动力学方程，光解半衰期分别为１３．７与９．４ｍｉｎ；在ｐＨ为５，７，９的缓冲溶液中其水解半衰期分别为１５．６，８．３与４．２ｄ；在３种不同土壤中的降解半衰期为４．８￣８．８ｄ。     

单甲脒在土壤中的吸附

用批量平衡法研究了单四脒酸盐的活性部分－单甲脒在不同类型土壤中的吸附行为，获得了单甲脒的单位土壤有机质吸附常数（Ｋｏｍ）为２８４和吸附自由能变化量为１３．９９ｋＪ．ｍｏｌ＾－１的实验数值，研究表明，单甲脒在土壤中吸附符合Ｆｒｅｕｎｄｌｉｃｈ经验公式，其在土壤中的吸附系数Ｋｄ与土壤中有机质含量和阳离了交换容量均显著正相关。     

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.