山东省典型湿地水体和沉积物中全氟辛烷羧酸(PFOA)和全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)的污染特征

全氟辛烷羧酸(perfluorooctanoic acid,PFOA)和全氟辛烷磺酸(perfluorooctane sulfonate,PFOS)广泛存在于全球范围内的各种环境介质中,是全氟化合物中最典型的持久性有机污染物.为考察山东省典型湿地中PFOA和PFOS的浓度水平与空间分布特征,采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱与WAX固相萃取相结合的方法,检测并系统分析了南四湖流域和东部沿海地区水和沉积物体系中PFOA和PFOS含量状况.研究结果表明,PFOA和PFOS在研究区域全部水样中均被检测出,浓度范围分别为10.49—84.6 ng·L~(-1)和0.49—25.4 ng·L~(-1);其中南四湖流域表层水中污染物的含量高于东部沿海地区,并且污染物浓度从下游到上游呈上升趋势.沉积物样品中PFOA和PFOS的浓度范围(干重)分别为0.09—2.76 ng·g~(-1)和0.17—5.25 ng·g~(-1),其空间分布趋势和水样中的大致相同.与国内外其他地区水和沉积物中PFOA和PFOS含量进行对比,山东省典型湿地中两种污染物的污染水平较高且PFOA污染更为严重.与PFOA相比,水和沉积物体系中PFOS的分配系数更高,并且不同区域间的分配系数存在差异.此外,本文采用熵值法对研究区域内两种污染物进行了初步风险评估,分析结果显示PFOA和PFOS对水生生物和野生鸟类可能存在一定的生态风险,且PFOS的风险较高,考虑到全氟化合物的生物累积性和食物链放大效应,应重视PFOA和PFOS的生态风险.     

全氟烷基磺酸盐(PFOS)、全氟己烷磺酸盐(PFHS)和全氟丁烷磺酸盐(PFBS)对非洲爪蟾胚胎的发育毒性

全氟烷基磺酸盐(PFASs)在工业生产和生活中广泛应用,某些PFASs已成为环境中普遍的污染物。鉴于对动物和人类的潜在毒性,全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)已被禁用,由一些半衰期相对较短的短链PFASs(如全氟丁烷磺酸盐,PFBS)替代。虽然四碳的PFBS和六碳的全氟己烷磺酸盐(PFHS)已经广泛使用,但目前对其毒性及其机制的了解很少。通过检测发育毒性和致畸性的非洲爪蟾胚胎致畸试验(FETAX),得到PFOS、PFHS和PFBS半致死浓度(LC50),半致畸浓度(EC50)和最小抑制生长浓度(MCIG),比较研究了3种化合物的发育毒性。结果发现,PFOS的LC50、EC50和MCIG分别为51.46、108.20和35mg·L-1。PFHS和PFBS的LC50大于100mg·L-1,对胚胎形态和生长没有明显影响。PFASs暴露引起非洲爪蟾胚胎运动行为异常。FETAX结果表明,PFOS急性发育毒性明显大于PFHS和PFBS。     

全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)、全氟己烷磺酸盐(PFHS)和全氟丁烷磺酸盐(PFBS)对非洲爪蟾胚胎的发育毒性

全氟烷基磺酸盐(PFASs)在工业生产和生活中广泛应用,某些PFASs已成为环境中普遍的污染物。鉴于对动物和人类的潜在毒性,全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)已被禁用,由一些半衰期相对较短的短链PFASs(如全氟丁烷磺酸盐,PFBS)替代。虽然四碳的PFBS和六碳的全氟己烷磺酸盐(PFHS)已经广泛使用,但目前对其毒性及其机制的了解很少。通过检测发育毒性和致畸性的非洲爪蟾胚胎致畸试验(FETAX),得到PFOS、PFHS和PFBS半致死浓度(LC50),半致畸浓度(EC50)和最小抑制生长浓度(MCIG),比较研究了3种化合物的发育毒性。结果发现,PFOS的LC50、EC50和MCIG分别为51.46、108.20和35mg·L-1。PFHS和PFBS的LC50大于100mg·L-1,对胚胎形态和生长没有明显影响。PFASs暴露引起非洲爪蟾胚胎运动行为异常。FETAX结果表明,PFOS急性发育毒性明显大于PFHS和PFBS。     

全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)对半滑舌鳎肝脏细胞的毒性效应

为探究海洋环境中持久性有机污染物——全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)的生物毒性效应,以半滑舌鳎肝脏细胞(HTLC)为研究对象,将其暴露于含不同浓度PFOS的DMEM-F12培养基中,分别染毒24、48、72 h后,利用噻唑蓝比色法(MTT)和透射电镜实验评价PFOS的细胞毒性;同时测定活性氧自由基(ROS)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性来探讨PFOS对细胞的氧化损伤效应。结果发现,细胞活性随PFOS浓度升高呈先促进后抑制趋势,当PFOS浓度达到1 000%mol·L-1时细胞活性受到显著抑制(P0.01);电镜结果显示PFOS能引起与代谢相关的细胞器如线粒体、内质网等发生肿胀甚至破损;与对照组相比,ROS含量和SOD活性分别在20%mol·L-1、200%mol·L-1开始出现显著性差异(P0.05),证实在PFOS引起的氧化应激反应中SOD起到了清除自由基作用以维持细胞稳态。研究表明,PFOS对海洋鱼类细胞具有一定的生物毒性,能引起细胞产生氧化应激反应,并进一步破坏生物膜系统,从而导致细胞增殖和多种代谢途径受到抑制。     

4种短链全氟化合物替代物在城市污水处理厂的污染特征研究

全氟辛烷羧酸(perfluorooctanoic acid,PFOA)和全氟辛烷磺酸(perfluorooctyl sulfonate,PFOS)等长链全氟化合物(perfluorinated compounds,PFCs)具有持久性、生物累积性和毒性,近年来发现一些短链PFCs具有相对较短的半衰期,可以成为PFOA和PFOS的替代品,这些物质包括C4和C6结构的PFCs,如全氟丁烷羧酸(perfluorobutanoic acid,PFBA)、全氟己烷羧酸(perfluorohexanoic acid,PFHx A)、全氟丁烷磺酸(perfluorobutyl sulfonate,PFBS)和全氟己烷磺酸(perfluorohexyl sulfonate,PFHx S)。为解析我国城市污水厂短链PFCs污染水平和地域分布特征,本研究调查了我国不同地区17座城市污水处理厂的进水、二沉出水和污泥中4种短链PFCs的分布和浓度水平。结果表明4种短链PFCs、PFOA和PFOS在17座污水厂进水中检出率均为100%(6种目标物单体浓度范围:0.19~274.72 ng·L-1);污泥中PFOS和PFOA检出率为100%(PFOS:2.08~72.31 ng·g-1,PFOA:1.03~24.81 ng·g-1),PFBA、PFHx A检出率为100%(0.60~3.33 ng·g-1),PFBS和PFHx S的检出率分别为42.11%和63.16%。在污水厂进水中,将PFOA和PFOS与其同类的短链PFCs浓度进行比较,发现短链PFCs分别相对于PFOA和PFOS的比例最高可达93.47%和94.57%。4种短链PFCs、PFOA和PFOS的地域分布差异明显,总浓度呈现出华东、华南地区高于西北、东北、华北地区的趋势,其中华东地区调查的污水处理厂浓度最高。污水厂4种短链替代物主要通过污水排放,不同污水厂的日排放总量(污泥和出水)为0.25~273.07 g·d-1,万吨水排放量范围为0.04~1.37 g。研究将为我国全氟化合物替代物污染和控制提供数据基础和科学依据。     

全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)胁迫对翡翠贻贝抗氧化酶的影响

为了解全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)对海洋贝类抗氧化防御系统的毒性效应及致毒机理,在实验室条件下研究了PFOS对翡翠贻贝的96h急性毒性,同时探讨PFOS胁迫和净水恢复过程中翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团组织中抗氧化指标(SOD活性、GSH和MDA含量)的变化。结果显示,PFOS对翡翠贻贝的96h半致死浓度(LC50)为68.3mg·L-1,安全浓度为6.83mg·L-1。在PFOS胁迫阶段,1mg·L-1浓度组外套膜SOD活性显著性升高(p<0.05),内脏团SOD酶活性显著降低(p<0.05);而PFOS浓度高于1mg·L-1时,外套膜SOD活性显著性降低(p<0.05),内脏团SOD活性显著升高(p<0.05)。PFOS胁迫对翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团中GSH含量均有显著的诱导作用(p<0.05),PFOS胁迫15d后各浓度组GSH含量均受到显著的抑制(p<0.05)。翡翠贻贝外套膜MDA含量受PFOS胁迫后显著升高(p<0.05),内脏团MDA含量的变化呈先降低、后升高的规律。净水释放阶段,翡翠贻贝两组织中SOD活性在释放7d后均恢复至对照组水平,GSH含量和MDA含量呈显著升高的趋势(p<0.05)。研究结果表明,PFOS暴露能够引起翡翠贻贝外套膜和内脏团氧化胁迫,但这种损伤的效果不明显,释放短时间后即可自我恢复。     

全氟辛烷磺酸对雄性鹌鹑生殖毒性影响

以雄鹌鹑为禽类指示动物,探讨全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)对禽类的雄性生殖毒性,染毒组饲料中PFOS浓度分别为10和30mg·kg-1.雄鹌鹑从出生后第9天开始连续染毒54 d.实验结束时,观察睾丸和附睾脏器系数、精子数、睾丸组织中LDH和SDH酶活性、血清中甲状腺激素T3、T4和促甲状腺分泌激素(TSH)及睾酮(T)浓度,...     

高效液相/四极杆-飞行时间串联质谱法分析活性污泥中的全氟辛烷磺酸及全氟辛酸

采用固相萃取/高效液相/四极杆飞行时间串联质谱检测活性污泥中的全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)及全氟辛酸(PFOA).以甲醇-水(含5mmol·l-1醋酸铵,体积比60∶ 40-80∶ 20)为流动相,经高效液相分离,四极杆-飞行时间质谱检测PFOS m/z 499→80,PFOA m/z 369→169.方法的检出限:PFOS 1.0ngm·l-1;PFOA 2.0 ngm·l-1,方法的线性范围:PFOS 6-150 ngm·l-1;PFOA 10-180 ngm·l-1,方法回收率:PFOS 87%-105%,PFOA 81%-90%.用此方法分析了我国4个城市和地区活性污泥中的PFOS和PFOA.     

全氟辛烷磺酸钾(PFOS)和纳米氧化锌(Nano-ZnO)单独与联合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的氧化损伤和细胞凋亡的影响

探讨全氟辛烷磺酸钾(PFOS)和纳米氧化锌(Nano-Zn O)复合暴露对斑马鱼机体氧化损伤和细胞凋亡的影响。将斑马鱼胚胎暴露于PFOS(0、0.4、0.8和1.6 mg·L-1)、Nano-Zn O(0、12.5、25和50 mg·L-1)、PFOS+Nano-Zn O(0、0.4+12.5、0.8+25和1.6+50 mg·L-1)溶液中6天后,检测相关的酶活性变化(超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(Gpx)、脂质过氧化物(MDA)、半胱氨酸蛋白酶(Caspase-3和Caspase-9)和与细胞凋亡相关基因(Bax,p53和Bcl-2)表达情况。结果表明:PFOS和Nano-Zn O单独与复合暴露均可造成斑马鱼胚胎的氧化损伤和细胞凋亡,但复合暴露组的氧化损伤和细胞凋亡程度明显大于单独暴露组。在PFOS和Nano-Zn O单独和复合暴露组中,随着处理浓度的升高,SOD、Gpx、Caspase-3和Caspase-9酶的活性显著升高。而CAT酶活性随着处理浓度的升高抑制作用显著。PFOS与Nano-Zn O复合暴露组与单独暴露组相比,Bax和p53表达显著上调,而Bcl-2表达显著下调。因此,在实验浓度范围内,等毒性配比1:1条件下,推测NanoZn O可以增强PFOS对斑马鱼胚胎的氧化损伤和细胞凋亡毒性。     

全氟辛烷磺酸对真鲷鳃抗氧化酶和组织损伤的影响

为了探讨全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)对真鲷(Pagrosomus major)的毒性及致毒机理,采用半静态毒性试验方法研究PFOS对真鲷的96 h急性毒性,并分析低浓度(0.1 mg.L-1)、中浓度(1.0 mg.L-1)和高浓度(2.0 mg.L-1)PFOS胁迫对真鲷鳃组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性,脂质过氧化物(MDA)含量以及组织损伤的影响。结果表明,PFOS对真鲷的96 h半致死浓度〔ρ(LC50)〕为22.56 mg.L-1。在PFOS胁迫阶段,低浓度组真鲷鳃组织SOD活性呈现先受诱导后受抑制的趋势,而中、高浓度组受到显著抑制(P<0.05),胁迫15 d时高浓度组抑制率为14.86%;各浓度组CAT活性的变化趋势呈"U"型,7和15 d时高浓度组诱导率分别为40.53%和62.32%;低浓度组POD活性在胁迫1 d时呈受诱导效应,之后下降至对照组水平(P>0.05),中、高浓度组则呈现先受抑制后受诱导的趋势,胁迫15 d时高浓度组诱导率为63.05%;MDA含量变化没有表现出明显的规律性。在净水恢复结束时,各浓度组真鲷鳃组织SOD活性恢复到对照组水平,而CAT、POD活性和MDA含量与对照组相比仍有显著差异(P<0.05)。在PFOS胁迫下真鲷鳃组织出现鳃丝上皮脱落与鳃丝融合现象,病变程度随着暴露浓度的增加和暴露时间的延长而加深。可见,PFOS可对真鲷鳃组织产生多个层面的毒性效应。     

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     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central