马拉硫磷水生生物基准推导研究

通过开展毒性试验和查阅国内外相关文献,获取马拉硫磷对长江三角洲流域22个代表性物种毒性数据,采用物种敏感度分布法和毒性百分数排序法推导长江三角洲流域马拉硫磷水生生物基准值。结果显示,采用物种敏感度分布法得出的急性基准值和慢性基准值分别为0.865 5和0.036 2μg·L~(-1),采用毒性百分数排序法得出的急性基准值和慢性基准值分别为0.400 0和0.033 4μg·L~(-1)。为充分保护水生生物,建议以毒性百分数排序法推导出的基准值作为长江三角洲流域马拉硫磷水生生物基准推荐值。研究结果可为我国地表水环境质量标准修订及水生生态风险评估提供科学依据。     

应用概率物种敏感度分布法研究太湖重金属水生生物水质基准

目前广泛使用的水质基准推导方法—物种敏感度分布法存在曲线拟合模型不确定、曲线拟合效果不佳、种内差异欠考虑、基准值不准确等诸多问题,概率物种敏感度分布法可有效解决上述问题。应用概率物种敏感度分布法构建了太湖水体中5种重金属Ag、Pb、Cd、Hg和Zn的概率物种敏感度分布曲线,在此基础上得到了保护水生生物的急性水质基准分别为1.079μg·L~(-1)、637.973μg·L~(-1)、19.465μg·L~(-1)、8.729μg·L~(-1)和105.506μg·L~(-1),慢性水质基准分别为0.108μg·L~(-1)、63.797μg·L~(-1)、1.947μg·L~(-1)、2.340μg·L~(-1)和52.753μg·L~(-1);不同类群间生物对重金属的敏感度存在差异,不同重金属对同一类群生物的毒性也存在差异;通过与国内外已有的重金属水质基准值比较,发现水质基准具有明显的区域性,目前基于国外水质基准或我国整体水域特点来制定的太湖水质标准,往往造成对太湖水生生物欠保护或过保护的状况。     

红霉素水生生物基准推导和对中国部分水体生态风险初步评估

红霉素是大环内酯类抗生素,环境中红霉素残留具有较高的生态风险和健康风险,而中国目前尚缺乏红霉素的淡水水生生物基准值,因而研究适合中国流域水环境的红霉素水生生物基准,对于保护中国淡水水生生物以及水质基准的研究具有重要意义。该研究搜集筛选了红霉素对中国淡水生物的急慢性毒性数据,共获得3门8科的10个急性毒性数据和2门4科的4个慢性毒性数据。利用美国环境保护局推荐的物种敏感度排序法(SSR)推导红霉素的水生生物基准,同时以log-normal SSD法和log-logisticSSD法对基准计算结果进行了比对。比较了3种方法的优缺点,以及与国内外已有研究基准值之间的差异及形成原因,分析了影响红霉素水生生物基准的关键因素。得出采用SSR法推导的保护中国水生生物的红霉素急性基准值(CMC)为0.47μg·L~(-1),慢性基准值(CCC)为0.10μg·L~(-1)相对可行。将该研究推导出的红霉素慢性基准值(CCC)与中国部分江河和湖泊中红霉素暴露浓度相比较,采用风险商值(RQ)评价了红霉素的生态风险。结果表明,风险区域主要集中在辽河、海河和珠江,部分区域点位存在一定的红霉素暴露生态风险。研究结论可为红霉素水质标准制定和流域水环境管理提供科学依据。     

考虑物种权重校验保护太湖水生生物的铅基准

铅是一种有毒重金属元素,位列我国水中优先控制污染物"黑名单".我国水系众多,水生生物多样,研究保护区域水生生物的铅基准十分必要.太湖作为中国周边经济最发达、大中城市最密集且污染最严重的淡水湖泊之一,本研究选取8种太湖本土水生生物实验补充铅的急性毒性数据并两步外推得到慢性毒性数据.结合文献建立铅的本土毒性数据库,基于水体硬度对铅毒性的影响,建立硬度和毒性关系.考虑太湖生物区系和水质特征,采用物种权重敏感度分布方法,得到保护太湖水生生物铅的最大浓度基准值(CMC)和持续浓度基准值(CCC)值分别为50.04—58.87μg·L~(-1)和3.99—4.69μg·L~(-1);现行地表水铅的Ⅲ类标准限值(50μg·L~(-1))下受铅急性毒性和慢性毒性影响的生物比例分别为4.42%和23.00%.     

PFOS和PFOA的水生生物基准探讨及对中国部分水体生态风险的初步评估

全氟辛基磺酸盐(PFOS)和全氟辛酸盐(PFOA)是中国淡水环境中广泛存在的两种典型全氟类污染物,中国目前尚缺乏PFOS和PFOA的淡水水生生物基准值。收集PFOS和PFOA对中国本土水生生物的毒性数据,利用美国环境保护局推荐的物种敏感度排序法推算了这两种物质的水生生物基准,获得PFOS的急性和慢性基准阈值分别为32.9μg·L~(-1)和1.97μg·L~(-1),PFOA的急性和慢性基准阈值分别为46.1 mg·L~(-1)和5.46 mg·L~(-1),两者的基准阈值表现出数量级的差异。针对中国部分淡水水体中PFOS和PFOA的污染水平,采用商值法(RQ)评价了两种污染物的生态风险,结果表明,PFOS和PFOA尚未对中国淡水环境中水生生物产生风险,处于可以接受的程度。     

铝对水生生物的毒性与硬度的相关关系探讨

铝是一种金属元素,生物体内铝的含量很少。但铝在工业上的应用非常广泛,导致铝在水体、土壤以及各种水生及陆生动植物体内的含量不断升高,对生物体健康产生了一定风险。为了深入了解铝对我国水生生物的影响和生态风险,开展铝对水生生物毒性效应的研究工作是十分必要的。水体硬度对铝的生物毒性存在一定影响,但目前相关研究较少。本文以我国淡水生态系统为保护对象,收集和筛选了铝对淡水水生生物的毒性数据,同时对硬度与铝的毒性效应之间的关系进行了分析,结果显示铝对水生生物的毒性随水体硬度增加而降低,铝毒性与硬度相关关系的斜率为0.5600。通过硬度校正,采用物种敏感度分布法获得硬度为50 mg·L~(-1)时我国铝的短期基准值和长期基准值分别为294μg·L~(-1)和24μg·L~(-1)。研究结果可为铝的生态风险评估和污染控制提供理论基础     

我国六价铬淡水水生生物安全基准推导研究

参照美国国家环境保护局(USEPA)"推导保护水生生物及其用途的国家水质基准的技术指南"的程序和规范,筛选了我国广泛存在的淡水水生生物物种,收集现有的急性和慢性毒性数据,结合课题组实验得到的部分本土生物毒性数据,分别采用物种敏感度排序法(SSR)、物种敏感度分布法(SSD)以及澳大利亚的水质基准技术方法对我国六价铬的淡水水生生物安全基准进行了推导。获得了我国淡水水生生物的六价铬的双值基准,3种方法得到的基准最大浓度(CMC)分别为23.97、22.84、29.06μg·L-1,基准连续浓度(CCC)分别为14.63、10.35、9.00μg·L-1,在同一个数量级上,但与美国的基准值有一些差异,建议使用SSD法推导CMC值和CCC值。研究结果可为我国水质基准的制定提供一些有用的基础资料。     

中国典型河湖水体铅的水生生物安全基准与生态风险评价

采用物种敏感度排序法(SSR)对我国铅的淡水水生生物安全基准进行推导,并以太湖为例进行了流域水生生物安全基准推导。对于难以获得的本土生物毒性数据,开展了相应的毒性试验。获得了我国国家与太湖流域铅的水生生物安全基准值,基准最大浓度(CMC)分别为63.92、104.26μg·L-1,基准连续浓度(CCC)分别为1.21、4.06μg·L-1。同时,对我国主要河流以及太湖流域进行了铅的生态风险评价,联合概率曲线法显示影响5%水生生物种类的概率分别为66.22%和43.19%,熵值法则显示中国主要河流存在较大的铅暴露风险,因此,我国铅的潜在生态风险较大,主要河流与太湖流域存在铅污染问题。     

基于物种敏感性分布法的毒死蜱对稻田生态系统生态风险评价

生物敏感性分布法(Species Sensitivity Distributions,SSD)是一种基于单物种测试和概率统计学的、较高级的外推风险评估方法。该方法在国内外均被广泛应用于各种污染物风险评价中。本文选取了采用logistic和normal这2种SSD分布模型,分析了国内外毒死蜱对3组水生生物组合的毒性数据;并且获得各自SSD的HCx值。3组毒性数据分别为:浙江稻田水生生物组,长三角地区水生生物组和美国水生生物组。浙江稻田水生物SSD分布的HC5为:0.32μg·L~(-1)(logistic模型)和0.35μg·L~(-1)(normal模型);HC10为1.50μg·L~(-1)(logistic模型)和1.26μg·L~(-1)(normal模型);HC20为8.13μg·L~(-1)(logistic模型)和5.96μg·L~(-1)(normal模型);HC50为145.44μg·L~(-1)(logistic模型)和115.74μg·L~(-1)(normal模型)。据此判断水稻种植季节,稻田水域毒死蜱对食蚊鱼、鳑鲏、泽蛙蝌蚪、轮虫、常见腹足类和双壳类软体动物以及绝大多数藻类等的风险较小。利用冗余分析研究了生物物种数量、物种组成结构和拟合模型对HCx影响。结果表明:物种组成结构对HCx有较为明显的影响。具体表现为对毒死蜱较为敏感物种数量与HCx存在明显的负相关性;对毒死蜱不敏感的物种则与HCx呈现正相关性。     

基于水质基准的中国地表水体中林丹生态风险评估案例研究

由于过去大量使用及其持久性,导致有机氯农药林丹在我国水体普遍存在,当过量的林丹汇聚于水体时,不免抑制水生生物生长发育。为评估和保护受林丹污染的地表水体,本研究筛选收集了37种本土代表性水生生物的林丹急慢性毒性数据,依照物种敏感度排序法(SSR)及物种敏感度分布法(SSD)推导出林丹的水质基准,并运用商值法和联合概率曲线法评估分析国内典型流域中林丹水生态风险。结果表明,针对保护95%水生生物的林丹急性基准为2.34μg·L^-1,慢性基准值为0.05μg·L^-1。商值法结果表明,林丹可能在我国部分水体具有高生态风险,联合概率曲线法结果显示我国约有53.57%的水体可能使超过5%的水生生物受到林丹长期污染危害的风险。该结果可为我国林丹水质基准及地表水体生态风险评估提供基础数据和科学依据。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.