循环水养殖系统重金属的分布特征及鱼体风险评估

为研究海水循环水养殖系统中水体及养殖鱼体重金属的分布特征和评估鱼体的污染状况及健康风险,本文以2021年山东省烟台市某水产公司两个海水循环水养殖系统中15个站点的水样和不同生长周期的牙鲆、珍珠龙胆石斑鱼(Paralichthys olivaceus、Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×Epinephelus lanceolatus♂)为研究对象,选用原子吸收光谱法和原子荧光光谱法测定分析其中重金属铜(Cu)、铅(Pb)、锌(Zn)、镉(Cd)、汞(Hg)和砷(As)的含量,并评估鱼体重金属的污染状况和健康风险.结果显示,循环水养殖系统水体的重金属含量均未超标,在生物体中的含量均符合国家限量标准.水体中Cu、Zn含量最大,Pb、Cd含量在9月最高,微滤机净化池水中的Pb含量大,Hg、Cu含量为6月最高,As含量为10月最大,水体中重金属含量可能与换水率、季节变化等情况有关.鱼体中牙鲆和珍珠龙胆石斑鱼重金属含量均表现为Zn>Cu>As>Pb>Cd>Hg,Cu、Zn作为鱼类生长的必要微量元素其含量最大;同一鱼体的重金属含量在不同生长周期存在显著...     

太湖流域水体和沉积物重金属时空分布特征及潜在生态风险评价

为了研究太湖流域重金属含量分布特征及污染现状,采用ICP-MS和直接汞分析仪对2012年11月至2013年8月期间太湖流域98个点位水体和沉积物中Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Pb和Hg进行监测。结果表明:水体中ρ(Cr)、ρ(Cu)、ρ(Zn)、ρ(Cd)、ρ(Pb)、ρ(As)和ρ(Hg)年平均值分别为0.88、3.21、10.96、3.29、0.019、0.07和0.021μg·L~(-1),均没有超过GB 3838—2002《地表水环境质量标准》,而沉积物中w(Cr)、w(Cu)、w(Zn)、w(Cd)和w(Pb)年平均值分别为102.32、65.24、185.64、0.93、45.88 mg·kg~(-1),这5种重金属含量均超过GB 15618—2008《土壤环境质量标准》,其中Cd含量为标准值的4.7倍。而w(As)和w(Hg)年平均值为9.87和0.107 mg·kg~(-1),只有标准值的65.8%和71.3%。水体和沉积物中重金属含量的时空分布存在显著差异。平水期水体Cr和Cu浓度高于枯水期和丰水期,丰水期Zn和As浓度最大,Cd、Pb和Hg浓度在枯水期、平水期、丰水期稳定,无显著变化。Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg这6种重金属浓度在运河水系中最高,苕溪水体中最低,太湖水体中处于中等值,平水期沉积物中Cr和Cu浓度高于枯水期和丰水期。沉积物中Zn、Cd和Hg含量则以丰水期为最高,枯水期最低;As和Hg含量以枯水期为最高。运河水系和出湖水系沉积物中Cr、Cu和Pb含量明显超出标准值,而其他水系低于或者接近标准值。沉积物中Zn含量最高的为出湖水系和运河水系,而Cd含量最高的为宜溧河水系和太湖。太湖流域沉积物中7种重金属的潜在生态风险因子从大到小依次为Cd、Hg、Cu、As、Pb、Cr和Zn。Cd是最主要的生态风险贡献因子,其生态危害程度为强水平。宜溧河水系生态风险指数为278.13,属于重生态危害,而其他水系处于中等生态危害水平。     

西安市不同功能区可悬浮灰尘中重金属含量、形态及污染评价

首先利用原子吸收分光光度计测定西安市住宅区、文教区、交通区和公共服务区可悬浮灰尘样品中重金属Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn、Mn和Cr的含量,然后采用修正的BCR连续提取技术分析样品中重金属的赋存形态,最后利用单因子及内梅罗综合污染指数法评估重金属的污染水平.结果表明,西安市可悬浮灰尘中Ni(40.4μg·g~(-1))、Cu(44.0μg·g~(-1))、Pb(55.4μg·g~(-1))和Zn(128.8μg·g~(-1))的平均含量超出了陕西省土壤元素背景值,而Mn(187.4μg·g~(-1))和Cr(22.3μg·g~(-1))的平均含量低于该背景值.重金属在不同功能区呈现不同的变化特征:Ni、Cu和Cr在4个功能区含量差异不明显; Pb在交通区含量最高,在公共服务区含量最低; Zn在住宅区含量最低,在其他3个功能区含量接近; Mn文教区含量略高于其他3个功能区.不同功能区可悬浮灰尘中Cr主要以残余态存在,Cu、Zn和Mn主要以可还原态存在,Ni主要以可氧化态和可还原态存在,Pb主要以乙酸可提取态和可还原态存在.约有70%以上的Zn、Mn、Pb、Cu和Ni可以发生迁移,易被生物利用.单因子污染评价表明,4个功能区可悬浮灰尘样品中Ni、Cu、Pb和Zn呈现不同程度的污染,Mn和Cr处于清洁.内梅罗综合污染评价表明,不同功能区可悬浮灰尘重金属综合污染水平不同,住宅区和公共服务区处于轻污染水平,文教区和交通区处于中污染水平.     

电子废物不当处置的重金属污染及其环境风险评价 Ⅳ. 电子废物不当回收地区流域水体沉积物的重金属污染

为了解电子废物不当处置活动对小流域内水体沉积物金属污染的影响,采集了位于广东省清远市龙塘镇和石角镇的电子废物焚烧和酸解活动核心区内水塘和水库的0～40cm沉积物以及附近河流大燕河表层(0～5cm)沉积物样本,分析了样本中的金属(水塘、水库:Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr;大燕河:Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr、Ni、Mg、Mn)含量.作为对照,对珠江口伶仃洋沉积物中的5种重金属(Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr)含量也进行了分析.结果表明,1)在核心区内,5种重金属的平均含量在接近酸解作坊的水塘沉积物中呈Cu(766.16mg·kg-1)>Zn(181.12mg·kg-1)>Pb(129.56mg·kg-1)>Cr(1.89mg·kg-1)≈Cd(1.12mg·kg-1),在其下游的水库沉积物中呈现相同的规律,但水塘沉积物的Cu、Zn、Pb含量均高于水库.水塘、水库沉积物重金属含量分布规律明显不同于伶仃洋沉积物,与伶仃洋沉积物相比,核心区水体沉积物Cu含量特别高,是伶仃洋沉积物的7～17倍,Pb和Cd则分别是伶仃洋的2.3～3.0倍和1.9～2.4倍,Zn、Cr含量与伶仃洋沉积物相近.2)Zn含量在核心区水体沉积物中均呈现出在20.0～30.0cm深度最高的趋势,Cu、Pb含量在水库沉积物中也有类似的表现,说明该深度的沉积物可能是电子废物回收处置活动最频繁的时期形成的,近年来随着政府取缔工作的加强,电子废物非法处置活动的减少,Zn、Cu、Pb含量有明显的下降.3)大燕河沉积物中6种重金属(Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Cd、Ni)的总含量表现为中游下段(1261.3mg·kg-1)>中游中段(1049.2mg·kg-1)>中游上段(401.8mg·kg-1)>上游(364.6mg·kg-1)>下游(215.4mg·kg-1).Cu、Zn、Pb和Cr含量均在中游下段的沉积物中出现最大值,次大值出现在中游中段,Ni、Cd在中游中段出现最大值,次大值出现在中游下段.中游中、下段沉积物中金属含量最大值和其上游(或中游上段)河段含量最低值的比值呈现Cu(10.1)>Cr(7.8)>Zn(3.8)>Cd(2.0)>Pb(1.9)>Ni(1.8),显示这些重金属主要从中游中、下段进入大燕河沉积物,其中Cu污染最为严重,而Cr污染可能与水土流失或当地其他活动释放的Cr有关.4)比较流域内土壤和各种沉积物以及伶仃洋沉积物中重金属的构成比例发现,核心区土壤和沉积物以及大燕河沉积物中的重金属具有明显的同源性.随着离源区距离的增加,重金属的构成比例中最明显的变化是Cu的比例下降以及Zn的比例上升。     

武汉三角湖复合垂直流人工湿地对重金属元素的去除研究

对武汉三角湖复合垂直流人工湿地进出水口中10种重金属元素（As、Ba、Cd、Cr、Cu、Li、Mn、Ni、Pb、Zn）去除进行了周年监测（2007年2月—12月）。人工湿地进水口重金属含量较低,无超标重金属元素。三角湖人工湿地进水口重金属元素含量排序为：Ba〉Mn〉Zn〉Li〉Cu〉As〉Pb〉Cr〉Ni〉Cd。三角湖人工湿地出水口对重金属去除效果排序为：Cd〉As〉Mn〉Pb〉Zn〉Cr〉Cu〉Ba〉Li〉Ni。研究表明复合垂直流人工湿地可以有效的去除重金属,对受污染水体水质改善和水生态系统恢复具有重要意义。     

顾桥采煤沉陷积水区重金属分布与迁移特征

为了探讨上覆水-间隙水-沉积物层面微量元素的分布特征与潜在迁移趋势,系统采集淮南矿区顾桥采煤沉陷积水区上覆水和沉积物样品各10个,通过高速离心获得相应间隙水样品。利用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)及原子荧光光谱法(AFS)测试分析了各样品中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Sb、Zn含量,并采用重金属污染指数法和地累积指数法评价上覆水体及沉积物中重金属污染程度。结果表明,(1)总体而言,顾桥采煤沉陷积水区上覆水水质较好,符合鱼类养殖的水质标准;间隙水中Cr、Cd和Zn的质量浓度分别达到193.11、2.14和176.18μg·L~(-1)。水质基准法生物毒性评价结果显示,间隙水中Cr、Cd和Zn对水生生物具有潜在生物毒性;沉积物中As、Cd、Cu、Cr、Ni的含量均值超过淮南土壤背景值和中国沉积物综合平均值,其中Cd平均质量分数高达1.114mg·kg~(-1),明显富集。(2)从垂直分布来看,水体中重金属的分布趋势表现为:沉积物间隙水上覆水。(3)分配系数结果表明,Cd、Zn、Sb易从沉积物中迁移进入上覆水中,具有较高的潜在环境危害。相关性分析结果显示,上覆水体中As与Mn、Cu与Cd具有相同污染源;间隙水中多种重金属之间的相关性较好,部分重金属具有同源性,沉积物中Ni与Zn、Mn的来源相似。(4)地累积指数结果表明,沉积物中Cd为偏重度污染,Cr为轻度污染,重金属总体污染程度为:CdCrSbCuAsNi=MnZn,顾桥采煤沉陷积水区水体沉积物中重金属Cd、Cr具有潜在生态危害,应引起管理者重视。     

江西省市售草鱼重金属含量分析及食用安全性评价

为探究江西省市售草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)重金属元素蓄积水平及食用安全性,利用原子吸收光谱仪和电感耦合等离子体质谱仪分析了草鱼肌肉中的Mg、Ca、Cr、Mn、Fe、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg和Pb共12种重金属元素的含量.采用营养质量指数法、单项污染指数法、均值型综合污染指数法、目标危害系数法及每周可耐受摄入量对其营养价值、污染程度、健康风险与食用安全性进行评估.结果表明,样品中Mg、Ca、Cr、Mn、Fe、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg和Pb的含量均低于我国《食品安全国家标准食品中污染物限量》(GB 2762—2017)中的标准.营养质量评价结果显示,草鱼是人体必需元素Mg和Cu的良好食物源.污染程度分析表明,有小部分样品中Zn(3.17%)和As (4.76%)处于微污染水平,As(1.59%)处于轻污染水平,其余重金属均处于无污染水平.健康风险评估结果显示,江西省市售草鱼中重金属对当地居民无明显的健康风险;但As、Zn和Cu对复合重金属目标危害系数的贡献率达到60.85%,是草鱼重金属污染中主要的风险因子; As、Cd和Cr致癌风险处于可接受水平,Pb无致癌风险;食用安全性结果显示,每周实际摄入重金属的量(EWI)占每周可耐受摄入量(PTWI)比值小于10%,表明江西省草鱼食用安全性较高.     

永定河上覆水、间隙水和沉积物中重金属的分布特征

采集了永定河及其支流清水河水样和表层沉积物各11个,并通过高速离心获得间隙水样10个.利用ICP-MS检测了上覆水中可溶性重金属(Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Mn、Ni、Pb、Zn)、间隙水中可溶性重金属(Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Zn)的含量以及沉积物中重金属(Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Mn、Ni、Pb、Zn)的总量;检测了样品的理化性质;分析了水体及沉积物间重金属的分配系数.结果表明,上游采样点水化学类型主要为Ca~(2+)-Mg~(2+)-HCO_3~--SO_4~(2-),而下游采样点水化学类型则主要为Na~+-Mg~(2+)-Cl~--SO_4~(2-),上游和下游的水化学类型呈现明显的差异性;上覆水中Mn在位于下游的7号采样点含量超出生活饮用水卫生标准;间隙水中的重金属普遍高于上覆水含量;采用间隙水标准毒性单位(IWCTU)对间隙水重金属进行评价,发现Zn在大部分采样点(除2、5、11)及Pb在采样点6、7、8存在一定程度的毒性风险;Cd、Pb、Ni等3种重金属在附近有煤矿分布的采样点的上覆水和沉积物中含量都较高,需要特别注意的是Hg的分布也可能与煤矿开采有关.Pb、Cr、Mn等3种重金属在沉积物与上覆水中的分配系数比较大,而Hg、Cd、Zn则分配系数比较小;重金属在上覆水间隙水及沉积物中的分布关系为沉积物间隙水上覆水;分别对上覆水间隙水和沉积物中的重金属进行相关性分析及沉积物的主成分分析,发现Cd和Pb在间隙水和沉积物中均存在显著的相关性,沉积物中的Cd、Pb、Ni、Hg、Cu、Cr在第一主成分中具有较高的载荷值,推断这几种重金属具有相同的来源.     

鄂尔多斯国家级自然保护区水鸟体内重金属的组织分布及潜在来源

水鸟通常栖息在湿地,属于食物链中的高级消费者,重金属很容易在水鸟体内积累。为了解鄂尔多斯国家级自然保护区水鸟体内的重金属累积、分布特征及其潜在来源,评估潜在毒性,对鄂尔多斯保护区水鸟体内不同组织(肌肉、肝脏和肾脏)中的重金属锌(Zn)、铜(Cu)、铅(Pb)、镉(Cd)和锰(Mn)含量进行分析。采用多元分析方法解析重金属潜在来源,使用毒性阈值评估重金属的潜在毒性。结果表明：(1)各重金属平均含量为Zn(79.73 mg·kg^-1)(以干质量计,下同)>Cu(35.80 mg·kg^-1)>Mn(5.64 mg·kg^-1)>Cd(2.5 mg·kg^-1)>Pb(0.75 mg·kg^-1),其主要累积器官是肝脏和肾脏;水鸟中Zn、Cu和Mn含量存在显著的种间差异(P<0.05);不同重金属在水鸟组织中的分布特征存在较大差异;(2)究其来源,水鸟体内的Zn、Cu和Mn可能与工业生产和农业活动的输入有关;Cd和Pb可能与农业活动(包括耕植施肥、畜牧养殖)的输...     

煤矸石废弃地中胜红蓟的重金属富集研究

采用粤东明山煤矿煤矸石粉与当地山林的普通黄土按不同比例混合而成的土壤中,4种重金属含量排序为Mn>Zn>Cu>Cd。在这些土壤中进行为期3个月(7、8、9月份)的胜红蓟栽培实验,然后测定植株重金属含量,其地下部分4种重金属含量排序与土壤一致,但地上部分Cu、Cd两者含量相差甚小,7月时Cu含量甚至低于Cd。胜红蓟(Ageratumconyzoides)对4种重金属的富集系数从大至小分别为Cd、Mn、Zn、Cu,且对Cd的富集系数大于3,对Cd显示出较强的富集作用。对Zn、Mn的转移能力较强,转移系数多大于1,对Cd的转移系数接近于1或大于1,但Cu均小于1。在煤矸石粉比例较低的土壤中,Zn、Cu、Mn 3种重金属的富集系数较大。Zn、Cu、Mn 3种重金属的富集系数在煤矸石比例较低的土壤中随生长期延长而升高,在比例较高的土壤中,地上部分的富集系数仍随生长期延长而上升,但地下部分8月至9月反而会有所下降。转移系数在不同月份无明显的规律性变化。胜红蓟虽然并非这些元素的超富集植物,但对于尾矿土壤中Cd、Zn、Mn污染有较好的修复效果,其适应性强、生长快、总体生物量大,可选作矿区土壤的修复植物。     

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     

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.