典型野生食用菌重金属含量及其人体健康风险评价

土壤重金属污染是影响生态环境、食品安全和人体健康的重要因素.云南省土壤重金属背景值较高,且矿产资源丰富、采矿活动频繁,导致土壤重金属含量较高.野生食用菌是高效重金属储积器,云南是中国野生食用菌最大产区.因此,本文以云南省8种典型野生食用菌为研究对象,探究其重金属含量(汞、镉、铅、锌、铜、砷)与分配特征,采用单因子污染指数对其进行重金属污染评价,利用概率方法(THQ指数)评估其对不同年龄人群(成人、儿童)的人体健康风险.研究结果表明,不同种类野生食用菌重金属含量存在显著差异(P<0.05).Hg、Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu浓度范围分别为0.5—7.2、0.3—15、0—26.8、47.7—214、56.7—428 mg·kg^-1 dw;As未检出.此外,Hg、Cd、Pb、Zn、Cu均主要分布于菌盖.除虫草花、白森、干巴菌中Hg未检出,其余重金属污染评价中单因子污染指数均>1,且同一元素在同种野生食用菌不同部位污染程度不同,其中,老人头菌盖受Cd污染最为严重.基于国家食品安全标准,本研究中98%野生食用菌Hg、Cd、Pb含量超标.然而,THQ指数表明,部分野生食用菌中Zn无风险(THQ<1),老人头菌盖、鸡枞菌盖中Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu具有人体健康风险(THQ>1),且风险值儿童>成人.     

浙江中部经济发达区域流域重金属污染调查与分析

为了解浙江中部经济发达区域流域重金属的污染情况.以东阳市东阳江流域为例,采集该流域37条干支流在丰水期和枯水期的水样,并对典型重金属锌、铜、铅、铬、镉、砷和汞含量进行测定及评价.结果表明:(1)东阳江流域干支流在丰水期和枯水期重金属平均含量排序均为:锌铅铜铬砷镉汞,其中锌、铜和镉含量均未超过地表水Ⅲ类标准,其他重金属均超标且超标率排序为:汞铅铬砷;(2)东阳江上游支流到下游支流的锌、镉、汞变化趋势呈现波峰和波谷交替出现的势态,高峰值出现在东阳市工业园区与经济强镇;(3)内梅罗污染指数指数评价得出,柽溪和绕溪在丰水期和枯水期均达到中度重金属污染水平;(4)健康风险评价法表明,化学致癌物引起的健康风险水平远远大于非致癌物引起的健康风险水平,通过饮水途径引起的健康风险水平大于皮肤接触,该流域致癌物的健康危害顺序:铬砷镉.     

埇桥环境高风险区河流沿岸土壤重金属污染及生态风险评价

以安徽省宿州市埇桥区奎河、沱河岸边2 000 m范围内的9个村庄作为研究区域,在距离河岸500 m、1 000 m、2 000 m处采集表层土壤样品.使用ICP-MS法检测土壤样品中砷、镉、铬、镍、铅、铜和锌7种重金属的含量,并通过单因子评价法、内梅罗污染指数法及潜在生态风险指数法,评价奎河、沱河周边土壤的污染等级和潜在生态风险.共采集土壤样品27个,砷、镉的超标率为100%(27个),锌超标率37.0%(10个),镍超标率29.6%(8个),铜超标率25.9%(7个),铬超标率22.2%(6个),铅不超标.砷、镉、铬、镍、铜、锌的浓度均超过其背景值.单因子评价结果显示镉为中度污染,砷、铬为轻度污染,其他镍、铅、铜、锌4种重金属属于轻微污染范畴.内梅罗综合污染指数结果显示,奎河、沱河周边土壤综合指数为3.1,属于重度污染.奎河、沱河附近土壤的土壤生态风险值为166.8,该地区生态风险等级为强烈风险.评价结果显示该地区土壤存在一定程度的重金属污染,其生态风险已经超过可接受水平,亟待治理.     

广州市蔬菜地土壤重金属污染状况调查及评价

探讨了广州市蔬菜地土壤重金属污染状况,测定了95份土壤样品中铅、镉、铬、砷、汞的含量水平。土壤中铅、镉、铬、砷、汞的含量分别在6.44～153.10mg/kg、0-0.682mg/kg、5.82～101.60mg/kg、0.04～45.36mg/kg、0.01～O.32mg/kg之间。就污染的普遍性而言,铅污染最为普遍,其次是砷污染;就污染的程度而言,镉污染最严重.其次为砷、汞。对比今昔污染变化.广州市土壤污染治理已取得显著成效,但仍需努力。土壤中镉、砷、汞三种元素的变异系数,特别是镉的变异系数较大,这可能预示着点源性污染的存在。     

微小铅锌矿区土壤和植物重金属污染特征及风险评价

对华东某微小型铅锌矿点周边农田土壤和植物进行采样调查,结合不同土壤剖面土壤样品,分析、评价其土壤和植物中重金属的污染特征,并探讨蔬菜中重金属对当地居民的潜在健康风险.结果表明,矿点周边土壤受到不同程度的重金属污染,单因子污染指数法评价结果显示镉的污染程度最严重,所采集的11个土壤样品中有1个样点属中度污染,其余均属重度污染.对污染程度最低的剖面土壤进行分析后发现,研究区内较高的土壤重金属含量主要与采矿活动有关,同时也受到土壤母质的影响.研究区内农作物均受到不同程度的镉和铅污染,长期食用当地生产的蔬菜可引起潜在的人体健康风险,种植桑树(Morus alba)是当地污染农田的合理利用模式之一.     

重庆市居民重金属膳食摄入水平研究

为了解重庆市居民砷、镉、汞的膳食摄入水平,采用分层多级整群随机抽样方法,经城乡经济排序,并按公共营养学要求,选取重庆市1213户居民为调查对象,应用中国总膳食研究方法,采集了当地12类主要食物样品,采用原子吸收分光光度法(AAS)和冷原子吸收分光光度法(CVAAS)测定了砷、镉、汞的含量,并运用FAO/WHO推荐的ADI值/PTWI值评价了居民膳食摄入的健康风险.结果显示,1)蛋类砷含量为允许限量的3.0倍;水果类镉含量为允许限量的2.4倍,汞含量为允许限量的4.0倍;2)各年龄组对砷、汞的膳食摄入量均低于ADI值,对镉的摄入量则大大超过ADI值.谷类和水果是各年龄组人群摄入砷、镉的主要膳食来源,水果类是汞的主要膳食来源;3)农村居民摄入的3种重金属含量均低于城镇居民,城乡居民对砷、汞的摄入量在允许限量ADI值的范围内,但通过食物摄入的镉含量超过了允许限量ADI值,达到ADI值的121%.     

秦岭典型停产关闭锌冶炼企业场地土壤重金属污染特征研究

秦岭作为中国重要的生态屏障,其生态环境保护问题已上升为国家战略。同时,秦岭作为中国贵金属和多金属矿产资源富集区,矿业开采效益巨大。矿山开采和冶炼不可避免带来一定的环境问题,研究矿业生产过程中土壤重金属污染污染特征及其危害对秦岭地区土壤重金属污染修复意义重大。该研究以秦岭地区某一曾从事过燃煤发电和锌冶炼、目前已停产的工业企业场地为研究对象,对土壤中砷、镉、铜、铅、汞、镍和锌7种重金属进行测定,采用Muller地积累指数、潜在生态风险指数和空间分析等方法,对土壤中的重金属元素进行污染特征分析与评价。结果表明,7种重金属在土壤中均有检出,砷、镉、汞、锌的检出最大值为对应土壤污染风险筛选值的1.54、1.29、1.49、2.45倍;在空间上7种重金属浓度均表现出由生产区向四周衰减趋势,砷、铜、铅和锌在土壤表层和深层污染程度表现不均一,镍基本无污染;镉和汞的地累计均值分别为5.72(陕西省)、5.715(国家)和6.74(陕西省)、6.71(国家),潜在生态风险指数分别为2 376.55(陕西省)、2 367.20(国家)和6 400.45(陕西省)、3 148.30(国家),属于严重污染等级且危害程度极强;将所有重金属元素指数累加,生态危害风险级别达到D,该场地生态危害程度极强,需进行严格管控及治理。该研究可为秦岭地区同类型企业土壤重金属污染监测方案的制定提供借鉴,也为构建秦岭区域矿山土壤重金属污染防控体系提供技术支撑。     

渤海湾表层沉积物重金属含量及潜在生态风险评价

海洋沉积物中重金属元素的释放可能影响海水质量及海洋生态健康。于2013年8月采集了渤海湾24个点位的表层沉积物,检测了汞、砷、铜、锌、铅、镉、铬7种重金属的含量,并用Hankanson法分析其潜在生态风险。结果表明,渤海湾沉积物中重金属含量均值可达到国家一类海洋沉积物标准(GB 18668-2002),其中汞、砷、铜、锌、铅、镉、铬的浓度分别达到0.03、16.15、23.15、89.45、38.84、0.24和60.60 mg·kg-1。渤海湾不同点位中,表层沉积物重金属含量符合海洋沉积物质量一类标准的占83.3%,其余点位可满足二类标准,超一类标准的点位的主要超标因子是砷和铅。渤海湾重金属的综合生态风险指数达到95.01,属于轻微生态风险等级。不同重金属所产生的生态风险排序为镉汞砷铅铜铬锌,除镉外均属于轻微生态风险等级。镉的潜在生态风险值为47.00,达到了中等生态风险等级,其风险占所有重金属总风险的49.5%。镉的潜在生态风险高与镉的生物毒性较高及其近年来在渤海沉积物中积累速度较快有关。重金属潜在生态风险在河口地区和天津港工业区附近呈现高值,而南部渔业区和远离海岸的中心区的生态风险相对较低,说明近海工业活动和陆源污染排放渤海湾沉积物中的重金属生态风险的主要来源。因而,调整近海的产业结构,严格控制入海河流和近海经济活动的重金属特别是镉的污染排放,对保障渤海沉积物的生态安全至关重要。     

三峡库区居民膳食结构与重金属摄入水平研究

采用分层多级整群随机抽样方法,经城乡经济排序,并按公共营养学要求,选取地处三峡库区中心位置的重庆市石柱县549户居民作为调查对象,对库区居民膳食结构进行了调查,同时应用总膳食研究方法,采集了当地12类主要蔬菜、肉类、粮食等样品,测定了铅、砷、镉、汞等4种重金属元素含量,分析了库区居民的重金属摄入水平.结果显示,1)除谷类、豆类、薯类和糖类外,城镇居民对其余各类食物的摄入量均高于农村居民的摄入量,城乡居民对谷类、蔬菜、水果、奶制品的摄入量还存在不足;2)库区食物中铅、镉超标较严重,其中乳类、蛋类铅含量分别为允许限量的4.98、4.54倍,砷、汞超标情况相对较轻;3)库区居民通过食物摄入的铅、砷、镉、汞4种有害重金属元素水平均低于相应的ADI值,但城镇居民、农村居民摄入的镉元素水平分别达到ADI值的86.88%和75.35%,应当引起警惕;4)薯类、谷类和蔬菜类食品是库区居民重金属摄入的主要膳食来源.     

大邑铅锌矿区土壤和蔬菜重金属污染现状及评价

研究了四川省大邑县铅锌矿区附近土壤和蔬菜中Pb、Zn、Cr和Cd含量,采用单因子污染指数法和综合污染指数法评价铅锌矿区附近土壤重金属污染状况。结果表明,铅锌矿矿口以及选矿厂周边土壤重金属富集因子均超过1,距选矿厂距离≤20 m的3个土壤样点Pb、Zn和Cd的单因子污染指数和综合污染指数较高,土壤污染程度为重污染,选矿厂周边土壤重金属污染在水平层次的空间分布上表现出异质性。选矿厂周边蔬菜地下部分重金属含量普遍高于地上部分,不同重金属在蔬菜可食用部分的转移因子总体由大到小依次为Cd、Zn、Pb和Cr。选矿厂周边蔬菜地土壤与蔬菜中Pb、Zn、Cd和Cr含量之间无显著相关性,但土壤中Pb、Zn和Cd含量3者之间在α=0.01水平上显著相关。     

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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Cost‐effective conservation of an endangered frog under uncertainty

How should managers choose among conservation options when resources are scarce and there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of actions? Well‐developed tools exist for prioritizing areas for one‐time and binary actions (e.g., protect vs. not protect), but methods for prioritizing incremental or ongoing actions (such as habitat creation and maintenance) remain uncommon. We devised an approach that combines metapopulation viability and cost‐effectiveness analyses to select among alternative conservation actions while accounting for uncertainty. In our study, cost‐effectiveness is the ratio between the benefit of an action and its economic cost, where benefit is the change in metapopulation viability. We applied the approach to the case of the endangered growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis), which is threatened by urban development. We extended a Bayesian model to predict metapopulation viability under 9 urbanization and management scenarios and incorporated the full probability distribution of possible outcomes for each scenario into the cost‐effectiveness analysis. This allowed us to discern between cost‐effective alternatives that were robust to uncertainty and those with a relatively high risk of failure. We found a relatively high risk of extinction following urbanization if the only action was reservation of core habitat; habitat creation actions performed better than enhancement actions; and cost‐effectiveness ranking changed depending on the consideration of uncertainty. Our results suggest that creation and maintenance of wetlands dedicated to L. raniformis is the only cost‐effective action likely to result in a sufficiently low risk of extinction. To our knowledge we are the first study to use Bayesian metapopulation viability analysis to explicitly incorporate parametric and demographic uncertainty into a cost‐effective evaluation of conservation actions. The approach offers guidance to decision makers aiming to achieve cost‐effective conservation under uncertainty.     

Parasitic wasps orient to green leaf volatiles

Summary Undamaged plants emit low levels of green leaf volatiles (GLVs), while caterpillar-damaged and artificially damaged plants emit relatively higher levels of certain GLVs. Female braconid parasitoids,Microplitis croceipes, oriented to both damaged plants and to individual GLVs in no-choice tests in a wind tunnel, but seldom oriented to undamaged plants. Female ichneumonid parasitoids,Netelia heroica, also oriented to individual GLVs in a wind tunnel. Males of both wasp species failed to orient to the GLVs. These data show that leaf-feeding caterpillars can cause the release of GLVs, and that parasitic wasps can respond to these odors by flying upwind (chemoanemotactic response), which brings the wasps to their caterpillar hosts. This supports the hypothesis that plants communicate with members of the third trophic level,i.e., plants under herbivore attack emit chemical signals that guide natural enemies of herbivores to sites of plant damage. In this interaction, the GLVs serve as tritrophic plant-to-parasitoid synomones. That parasitoids from two different wasp families oriented to GLVs suggests that the response may be widespread among the Hymenoptera.Mention of a commercial or proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture     

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.