燃煤烟气脱硫副产物在酸性土壤上施用的效果--以豆科作物为例

研究了燃煤烟气脱硫副产物的农业利用价值，该物质在酸性土壤上施用对豆科作物的影响以及对环境的影响。研究结果显示，燃煤烟气脱硫副产物有很好的农业利用价值；在不同类型的红壤上，豆科作物适量施用脱硫副产物均有不同程度的增产和提高品质的效果，并能有效地改善土壤的理化性能；供试物中的重金属含量均没有超过国家的限量标准，故适量施用后，当造作物植株中检出的重金属均低于国家限量标准。     

燃煤烟气脱硫副产物的重金属环境行为

通过理化分析、盆栽生物试验及土壤淋溶试验，探讨了脱硫副产物的重金属农业环境行为。结果表明：燃煤烟气脱硫副产物中的总Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Se、Ni、Cu等指标，基本上都低于国标最高容许量和土壤环境质量二级标准，符合国家控制标准，但普遍高于土壤自然背景值含量。8～10g／kg土的供试物量处理，花生、萝卜、甘蔗和水稻的可食部分重金属均无超常累积现象，未导致农产品重金属的富集残留污染，不影响农产品安全品质。在表土层供试物量达到40g／kg条件下，土壤淋溶试验结果表明，施脱硫副产物未导致土壤淋滤液重金属污染，不可能通过降雨淋溶过程，渗透过1m左右的土层而污染地下水源。     

花生施用燃煤烟气脱硫副产物研究初报

主要研究了施用燃煤烟气脱硫副产物（石膏和粉煤灰）对花生性状的影响。结果表明,在广东浅海沉积砖红壤上,施用脱硫副产物对盆栽花生出苗、根系及其营养生长、花生花针生长发育等均产生一定的抑制作用;抑制程度与脱硫副产物施用量有关。但在添加1%、5%、10%的脱硫副产物条件下,花生根瘤数量及质量均比不施脱硫副产物的处理有成倍地增加,若添加量达到20%则会对根瘤生长繁殖产生明显的抑制。施用脱硫副产物提高了花生的产量,在施用量达到土壤质量1%的条件下,花生获得最高产量,且根瘤生长繁殖受到促进,故该施用量是该实验的最优处理。     

燃煤烟气脱硫副产物在酸性土上的农用价值与利用原理

燃煤烟气脱硫副产物作为废弃物对环境的潜在威胁,促使人们对其资源化利用研究的重视。文章针对红壤地区土壤普遍缺乏营养元素的问题,通过分析盆栽和田间试验结果,探讨燃煤烟气脱硫副产物在酸性土壤上的农用价值与利用原理。结果表明,燃煤烟气脱硫副产物富含作物所需的营养元素,而红壤地区土壤又普遍缺乏这些元素;它具有独特的形态特征和理化性能,在酸性土壤中可以产生协同效应,因而具极高的农用价值。在酸性土壤上适量施用,可以提高土壤养分含量,改善土壤理化性质,提高土壤供肥性能和持水能力,促进作物对养分的吸收,从而达到废弃物农业资源化利用的目的。     

砂页岩赤红壤磷肥活化效果及其机理研究

应用不同活化剂处理不同性质的磷肥，并对其在砂页岩赤红壤中的生物效应及作用机理进行了研究。结果表明，在砂页岩赤红壤上，施用供试的儿种经活化剂处理的磷肥均能显著提高蔬菜生物量。砂页岩赤红壤中的铁、锰质量分数与磷素的有效性有密切的关系，且在还原条件下，土壤铁、锰对磷的固定作用更大；硅、钙可促进土壤中磷的释放。供试活化剂不仅可促进难溶磷的释放，还可控制水溶性磷的释放，使土壤供磷性能平稳；有机活化剂的用量，用于难溶性磷促释时其质量分数为3％，用于水溶性磷控释时其质量分数约为14％。在土壤-植物体系中，活化剂对磷的促释和控释机理是它通过对土壤铁、锰、铝质量分数的调节而实现对磷的活化。     

垃圾肥在潮土上对花生的增产效果

在潮土上施用垃圾肥对花生产量和品质影响的研究结果表明，在较贫瘠的土壤上，垃圾肥单独或与Ｎ、Ｐ化肥配合施用，都有明显的增产效果：单独施用比对照增产率为９．３％～２９．１％，与化肥配合施用增产率为１０．８％～２０．５％。垃圾肥施用量在１５～３０ｔ／ｈｍ２时可获较高的增产效益。施用垃圾肥对花生仁中的粗蛋白质、粗脂肪和全磷含量有一定的提高。尽管所施用垃圾肥中含有一定量的有害元素，如Ｃｄ、Ｐｂ、Ｃｒ等，但花生仁中这些元素含量并不高，说明施垃圾肥是安全的。试验结果还表明；施用垃圾肥能提高土壤有机质、全氮以及有效Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ的含量。特别是有效微量元素含量提高幅度较大，Ｚｎ、Ｃｕ、Ｂ各处理平均是对照的２～１０倍，Ｆｅ、Ｍｎ、Ｍｏ比对照提高１７％～３８％。     

小麦秸秆生物质炭对水稻产量及晚稻氮素利用率的影响

选择湖南长沙红黄泥水稻土和江西进贤红壤性水稻土为供试土壤,研究小麦秸秆制生物质炭在20、40t.hm-2施入量水平下与氮肥配施对早、晚稻产量及晚稻氮素利用率的影响。结果表明,生物质炭与氮肥配施情况下,2个试验点不同生物质炭施用量处理间早稻产量均无显著差异,但进贤试验点生物质炭施用量为20和40t.hm-2处理晚稻产量分别比未施生物质炭对照提高5.18%和7.95%,而长沙试验点3个处理间晚稻产量无显著差异。在相同氮素水平下,当生物质炭施用量为40 t.hm-2时,2个试验点土壤有机碳含量与未施生物质炭对照相比最高增幅均在55%以上;施用生物质炭可提高酸性或弱酸性土壤pH值,降低土壤容重;施用生物质炭也可显著提高水稻氮肥利用率,在40 t.hm-2施用水平下,长沙和进贤试验点水稻氮肥吸收利用率分别提高20.33和17.58百分点,进贤试验点氮肥农学效率提高39.81%。在酸性土壤中施用生物质炭可提高氮肥利用率,保持水稻产量稳定或有一定的增产效果。     

含硫及含氯化肥对湘南水田土壤酸度和养分有效性的影响

1990年5—11月,在湖南祁阳中国农科院红壤实验站水稻田布置田间试验,研究结果证实,在早稻和晚稻生长期间,与含氯化肥相比,施含硫化肥更能降低土壤pH而使土壤酸化,因而在南方水田施用含硫化肥时,必须和石灰及生理碱性肥相配合。同时,施含硫化肥能提高土壤有效性磷和钾的含量,增强土壤保肥与供肥能力。对大田水样中养分离子监测的结果表明,施含硫化肥减少钾离子的淋失;而施含氯化肥则减少硝态氮的淋溶,提高水田氮肥的利用率。     

不同农业施肥制度对红壤稻田土壤磷肥力的影响

采用田间定位试验研究了几种不同农业施肥制度对红壤稻田土壤磷肥力的影响．结果表明：（1）在移耕农业、施化学N肥和NK胆施肥制下，农田系统磷素亏缺量大，7年间达140mg/hm2以上，土壤有效磷降低；（2）有机农业和施化学P肥施肥制可促进农田系统磷素平衡，改善土壤供磷状况，提高稻株含磷量和磷累积量；（3）在有权无机结合施肥制下，农田系统土壤磷素盈余量大，7年间共达200mg／hm2以上，并可改善土壤磷组分，增加土壤有效磷含量，促进水稻对磷的吸收．     

施N模式与稻草还田对土壤供N量和水稻产量的影响

通过田间试验研究了2 a定位试验后不同施N模式和稻草还田对双季稻作系统土壤供N能力和水稻生产的影响。结果表明:施用N肥显著增加土壤NH4 -N和可矿化N含量,显著提高稻田系统生产力,且随着稻草配合施用,施N效果更加明显。移走稻草情况下N肥增产率为30.3%~31.3%;稻草还田情况下,N2(全年施N量240kg.hm-2)处理N肥增产率为36.7%,1 kg纯N增产谷粒12.1 kg,均显著低于N1、N3(全年施N量180 kg.hm-2)处理,后者增产率为40.4%~41.1%,1 kg纯N增产谷粒17.7~18.0 kg,且N1、N3处理(施N量相同,但各时期施N比例不同)间差异不显著。配施N肥后稻草还田可以提高土壤供N能力,连续处理2 a,土壤可矿化N比移走稻草处理提高32.1%~50.0%。稻草还田时适当配施N肥增产效果明显,N1、N3处理下稻草还田增产率分别达8.7%和8.4%,而N2处理下稻草还田的表观增产效果降低,稻草还田增产率仅为5.1%。年稻草还田量为7 500 kg.hm-2的红壤稻田系统,年适宜配施N量为180 kg.hm-2,各时期施N优化比例为基肥30%,分蘖肥30%,穗肥40%。     

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