植物净化床对双龙湖水体有机污染物的去除效果分析

通过对双龙湖A、B两座植物净化床2004年6月至2005年5月间的进出水监测数据进行分析,确定植物净化床对水体有机污染物去除效果的年际变化。结果表明,A、B两座植物净化床对CODMn、总磷(TP)、氨氮(NH3-N)、总氮(TN)均有很好的去除效果,对CODMn的平均去除率为71.41%和72.58%,出水水质平均为2.47和2.36mg·L-1;TP的平均去除率为83.01%和84.70%,出水水质平均为0.033和0.037mg·L-1;NH3-N的平均去除率为89.28%和90.30%,出水水质平均为0.125和0.141mg·L-1;TN的平均去除率为60.90%和65.48%,出水水质平均为1.204和1.268mg·L-1。对硝态氮(NO3-N)的去除效果较差,平均去除率为6.91%和32.47%,出水水质平均为0.407和0.637mg·L-1。分析CODMn、TP、NH3-N、TN和NO3-N去除效果的季节变化发现,各指标的去除效果和季节变化有一定关系。最后,作者对植物净化床的运行控制提出了相关建议。     

滆湖入湖河口区叶绿素a时空变化特征及相关环境因子分析

2018年1月—2020年1月对滆湖13个入湖河口区的叶绿素a浓度[ρ(Chl-a)]和理化因子进行逐月监测,分析滆湖入湖河口区水体ρ(Chl-a)的时空变化特征及其与水温、pH值和营养盐等主要环境因子的相关性。研究表明:(1)ρ(Chl-a)随时间变化明显,夏季最高,秋冬季次之,春季最低;(2)在空间分布上,滆湖西北入湖河口区水域的ρ(Chl-a)明显高于滆湖南部入湖口水域;(3)ρ(Chl-a)与水温、pH值、高锰酸盐指数呈极显著正相关,与ρ(DO)呈负相关,与ρ(TN)、ρ(NH_4~+-N)、ρ(NO_3~--N)、ρ(PO_4~(3-)-P)和ρ(DOC)相关性不显著。ρ(Chl-a)的对数与ρ(TP)的对数呈显著正相关,与N/P比的对数呈显著负相关;(4)P是滆湖入湖口水域ρ(Chl-a)的主要影响因子。     

人工湿地组合生态工艺对规模化猪场养殖废水的净化效果研究

研究了表面流、水平潜流和垂直潜流人工湿地以及地下渗滤系统组合生态工艺对模拟和实际猪场养殖废水的净化效果。结果表明,在进水ρ（COD）=709.2 mg.L-1,ρ（TN）=597.1 mg.L-1,ρ（NH4＋-N）=560.4 mg.L-1和ρ（TP）=42.5 mg.L-1的质量浓度条件下组合生态系统对于COD、TN、NH4＋-N和TP的去除率分别可以达到87%、95%、97%和95%,其中COD的去除主要在第一级表面流人工湿地,NH4＋-N和TN去除主要是在水平潜流和垂直潜流人工湿地,水平潜流和垂直潜流人工湿地对溶解性磷酸盐去除效果明显,地下渗滤起到进一步稳定出水水质的作用。水平潜流和垂直潜流人工湿地的运行结果对比表明,后者对污染物的去除率均高于前者。     

人工介质富集附着生物对富营养化水体的净化作用

研究了人工介质富集附着生物对富营养化水体中藻类及氮、磷营养物质的去除特性,以及不同水深、水体流速和溶解氧、温度、pH等理化性质对去除效果的影响.结果表明,在静态水体条件下,组合人工介质富集附着生物对于NH4+ -N、TN、TDN、NO3- -N、TP、TDP和PO43- -P平均去除率分别为98.90%、45.15%、42.78%、38.13%、76.18%、80.11%和87.02%,藻类叶绿素a(Chl-a)含量则降低了63.53%.随着水深的增加,藻类Chl-a含量下降速度减缓,但对氮、磷营养物质的去除影响不大.随着水体流速的增加,即由静态水体转变为流速为200 L·h-1的动态水体,藻类Chl-a含量降低程度有所增加,TP和TDP去除率也有所增加,其中,静态和动态水体中Chl-a含量分别降低了63.53%和72.17%,TP去除率由76.18%增至85.13%,TDP由80.11%增至83.76%;TN去除率由45.15%降至32.02%,TDN由42.78%降至28.73%;对于NO3- -N,静态对照去除率为38.13%,而动态处理去除效果不佳;而NH4+-N和PO43--P去除率变化不大,NH4+-N由98.90%变为98.59%,PO43--P由87.02%变为86.13%.水体DO、温度、pH等理化性质特别是p(DO)对净化效果亦有一定影响.     

滆湖东岸生态修复试验区的水质净化效果

在滆湖东岸的小庙港湾,构建由沉水、浮叶和挺水植物组成的生态修复试验区,研究其水质净化效果.于2009年12月至2010年11月,跟踪监测敞水区(对照区)和试验区的水体理化指标.结果表明:(1)试验区水体悬浮物(SS)的去除效果较好,周年平均去除率达24.85％.(2)试验区水体透明度改善较明显,比敞水区提高11.24％. (3)试验区水体总磷(TP)和叶绿素a(Chl-a)的去除效果明显,两者浓度周年平均值分别比敞水区下降21.90％和22.83％.(4)试验区水体总氮(TN)、氨氮(NH3-N)和高锰酸钾盐指数(CODMn)的周年去除率较低.与敞水区相比,CODMn和NiH3-N浓度的周年平均值分别仅下降9.49％和3.52％,TN浓度周年平均值比敞水区增加6.69％.(5)试验区水体水质的净化效果受季节、水生植物生长状况等因素的影响.     

城市水环境生物修复试验研究

为了摸索城市水环境污染的治理方法,对因用于城市防洪排涝而遭受严重污染的广州市玉翠湖进行了生物修复研究.研究中,采用Probac生物促生营养剂对湖泊进行了为期40 d的围栏投药试验,结果表明,投加5～10 mg·L-1的Probac制剂,经过10～15 d的肩动周期后,水体污染物得到有效去除,在治理后期持续维持0.5～2.5 mg·L-1的投加量投加时,可以起到抗排涝污染和迅速恢复水体水质的效果.治理后的玉翠湖水体COD由不加处理条件下的50.0～6.0 mg·L-1降至12.9～30.5mg·L-1,在无防洪排污人湖时,水体COD维持稳定,最大去除率达到71.9%,在防洪排污人湖时会引起水质的波动,COD平均去除率为34.0%;BOD由20.0～24.0 mg·L-1降至6.7～10.4 mg·L-1,无防洪排污时最大去除率为69.8%.防洪排污时平均去除率为55.3%;氨氮由0.9～1.1 mg·L-1降至0.6～0.7 mg·L-1,最大去除率36.5%;总磷由0.23～0.45 mg·L-1降至0.14～0.17 mg·L-1,最大去除率40%.研究表明:对于已彻底截污的城市景观湖.Probac制剂具有较好的水质净化效果.     

洞庭湖不同形态氮、磷和叶绿素a浓度的时空分布特征

洞庭湖水体主要污染物为氮和磷,而有关洞庭湖营养盐赋存形态与叶绿素a的关系鲜有报道。为研究洞庭湖氮与磷的时空分布特征及其对叶绿素a(Chl-a)的影响,2017年在洞庭湖湖体、出湖口及8条入湖河流共20个断面采集了水样,分析了水体中不同形态氮、磷和Chl-a的质量浓度。结果表明,洞庭湖水体中总氮(TN)、溶解态总氮(DTN)、氨氮(NH_4~+-N)、硝酸盐氮(NO_3~--N)质量浓度年均值分别为1.83、1.69、0.26、1.27 mg·L~(-1),总磷(TP)、溶解态总磷(DTP)、磷酸盐(DPO)、颗粒态磷(PP)质量浓度年均值分别为0.081、0.059、0.049、0.022 mg·L~(-1),Chl-a质量浓度平均值为4.84μg·L~(-1)。空间分布上,各形态氮和磷的质量浓度总体表现为:入湖口出湖口湖体,其中,区间入湖口水体中ρ(TN)、ρ(NH_4~+-N)、ρ(TP)、ρ(PP)最高,而ρ(NO_3~--N)、ρ(DTP)、ρ(DPO)在松滋口最高。ρ(Chl-a)表现为区间湖体出湖口松滋口四水。时间分布上,各形态氮与磷的质量浓度具有明显的季节变化特征,均表现为枯水期平水期丰水期;ρ(Chl-a)总体上呈现丰水期平水期枯水期的趋势。可见入湖河流对洞庭湖氮与磷的时空分布起了至关重要的作用,入湖污染负荷和人类活动(包括采沙和生产生活)是洞庭湖氮与磷空间分布的重要影响因素,而入湖水量可在一定程度上解释洞庭湖氮与磷的时间分布。总体而言,洞庭湖未出现明显的富营养化现象,这可能得益于其独特的水文条件(水循环周期短,流速较快),但流速较低的六门闸和大小西湖断面ρ(Chl-a)较高,夏季水华频发,应引起高度重视。     

生物浮岛对三峡库区典型支流库湾水质和浮游藻类的影响

在三峡库区香溪河的支流高岚河库湾修建生物浮岛,研究生物浮岛对三峡库区典型支流库湾水质和浮游藻类的影响.结果表明,高岚河水质处于中营养型-轻度富营养型水平.8月藻类大量生长期间,浮岛区水体Chl-a、DO和CODMn含量低于对照区,NH4+-N含量高于对照区.浮岛植物对TN负荷的去除效果由高到低依次为美人蕉(Canna indica)、风车草(Cyperus alternifolius)、菖蒲(Pontederia cordata)和梭鱼草(Acorus calamus),对TP负荷的去除效果由高到低依次为美人蕉、风车草、梭鱼草和菖蒲.在浮岛区和对照区共发现藻类7门31属,4月以绿藻和硅藻为主,8月以蓝藻为主.浮岛区和对照区藻类种群结构无明显差异,但4和8月浮岛区藻类生物量明显低于对照区.     

洞庭湖浮游植物增长的限制性营养元素研究

近20年水质监测资料表明,洞庭湖水体富营养化日趋严重。洞庭湖水体主要污染物为氮和磷,而营养盐赋存形态及其含量对浮游植物生长的影响在洞庭湖尚未见报道。2011年9月至2012年8月对洞庭湖浮游植物生物量及主要营养盐赋存形态与含量进行监测,同时利用藻类增长的生物学（NEB）评价方法对限制浮游植物增长的营养盐进行了研究,并分析了浮游植物生物量与各营养元素之间的相关性。结果表明：洞庭湖主要污染物总氮（TN）和总磷（TP）的年平均值分别为1.90 mg·L-1和0.093 mg·L-1,溶解态无机氮（DIN）平均占ρ（TN）比例为87%,溶解态总磷（DTP）平均占ρ（TP）比例为70%。洞庭湖水体中,DIN是TN的主要贡献者,且不同形态DIN的贡献大小依次为ρ（NO3--N）〉ρ（NH4＋-N）〉ρ（NO2--N）;磷形态组成中,TP主要以溶解反应性磷（SRP）存在。春季洞庭湖水体中ρ（TN）、ρ（TP）较高,这一结果可能源于春季面源污染。洞庭湖水体中ρ（Chla）与氮显著正相关,与磷显著负相关。NEB 实验结果表明氮对洞庭湖浮游植物生长有明显的促进作用,其幅度随氮浓度的增加而加强,而磷对浮游植物的生长影响不大,有时出现抑制作用,硝态氮与磷之间不存在交互作用。因此,氮可能是洞庭湖浮游植物增长的主要限制性营养因子,这一研究暗示在洞庭湖富营养化控制过程中应特别注重氮的控制。     

不同污染负荷对废砖垂直流人工湿地处理农村生活污水的影响

废砖垂直流人工湿地是采用农村废弃建筑垃圾和秸秆为填料的一种新型"以废治废、变废为宝"的人工湿地。农村生活污水水质波动大,污染负荷变化大,为了摸清在不同污染负荷变化情况下,废砖垂直流人工湿地系统的处理效果如何,以常规石灰石人工湿地为对照,选择不同污染负荷的农村生活污水为供试污水,研究废砖垂直流人工湿地在不同污染负荷下对污染物的处理效果。结果显示,不同污染负荷下,废砖人工湿地系统对污染物的去除存在显著差异(P0.05),在污染负荷1 [ρ(TN)=10 mg·L~(-1),ρ(TP)=1 mg·L~(-1),ρ(COD_(Cr))=10 mg·L~(-1)]和污染负荷2 [ρ(TN)=20 mg·L~(-1),ρ(TP)=3 mg·L~(-1),ρ(COD_(Cr))=200mg·L~(-1)]情况下,系统显示较好的污染物去除效果,出水TN和NH_4~+-N质量浓度满足《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》(GB18918—2002)一级B类水质标准。废砖人工湿地系统对污染物的去除效果要优于石灰石人工湿地。废砖人工湿地的TP去除率在4个不同污染负荷下分别可达到86%、74%、64%、61%;在污染负荷为3[ρ(TN)=40mg·L~(-1),ρ(TP)=7mg·L~(-1),ρ(COD_(Cr))=300 mg·L~(-1)]情况下,废砖人工湿地系统对COD_(Cr)的去除率可达到83%。污染负荷变化,会影响系统微环境指标的变化。不同污染负荷的变化对系统的净化效果具有显著影响。该研究结果可为废砖人工湿地系统实际运行和进一步优化提供重要实际参考价值。     

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.