伊乐藻在冬季低温条件下对污染水体的净化效果

研究了耐寒沉水植物伊乐藻(Elodea nuttallii)在冬季低温条件下的生长状况，以及不同生物量的伊乐藻对污染水体的净化效果。在冬季水温3—7℃的低温条件下，大多数水生植物处于生长停滞期，然而实验结果表明，伊乐藻在此条件下却具有明显的生长能力，并且单位生物量的增长量最大可达0．34g；实验结果同样显示了伊乐藻在低温条件下对TN、TP和CODCr具有一定的净化效果，对TP的去除效果要比对TN和CODCr的去除效果好；从实验结果还可看出，伊乐藻在水温高于4℃时对藻类具有抑制作用，从这一点就可说明伊乐藻具有一定的克藻效应，且其抑制能力与水温有很大的关系。     

广州市典型中小型水库营养状态与蓝藻种群特征

中小型水库是广州市供水的重要水源地和后备水源地,为了解这类水库的富营养化特征以及蓝藻种群的动态,于2010年的枯水期、丰水期对广州市6座典型的中小型水库进行了采样与分析。结果表明：梅州水库、芙蓉嶂水库为贫-中营养型,三坑水库、百花林水库、和龙水库为中-富营养型,洪秀全水库为富营养型,水库营养状态指数季节变化差异不显著。在同一座水库中,水力滞留时间越长,营养状态指数越高;在不同水库之间,营养状态指数与集雨区内人类活动影响有关。6座水库蓝藻生物量的季节变化明显,受水温和水体稳定性的影响,枯水期蓝藻生物量在0.14~171.8μg.L-1之间,占浮游植物总生物量的0.1%~10.0%;丰水期蓝藻生物量在0.013~32.8 mg.L-1之间,占浮游植物总生物量的6.5%~97.0%。不同营养状态的水库之间蓝藻的生物量和种类差异明显,受营养盐和水力滞留时间的影响,梅州水库、芙蓉嶂水库蓝藻生物量在0.1~16μg.L-1之间,主要种类为泽丝藻（Limnothrix redekei）、卷曲鱼腥藻（Anabaena pertuthate）、水华微囊藻（Microcystis flos-aquae）、粘球藻（Gloeocapsa sp.）;三坑水库、百花林水库、和龙水库蓝藻生物量在0.057~32.8 mg.L-1之间,主要优势种为拟柱孢藻（Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii）、泽丝藻、假鱼腥藻（Pseudanabaena limnetica）;洪秀全水库蓝藻生物量在0.107~2.637 mg.L-1之间,主要优势种为阿氏颤藻（Oscillatoria agardhii）、水华微囊藻、卷曲鱼腥藻。     

基于AQUATOX模型的乌梁素海富营养化模拟及控制研究

乌梁素海是典型的寒旱区湖泊,具有多草、多藻、水浅及寒区气候等特征。针对乌梁素海湖泊富营养化及水华问题,运用AQUATOX模型对乌梁素海湖区主要营养盐的季节变化以及不同藻类(蓝藻、绿藻、硅藻)的演替规律进行了模拟。模拟结果显示,该研究建立的乌梁素海生态系统模型,能较好的模拟水域中营养盐的动态变化以及不同藻类(蓝藻、绿藻、硅藻)的季节演替规律,与乌梁素海实际水环境状况大体吻合。在模拟的基础上,对控制入湖氮、磷污染负荷后营养盐浓度及藻类生物量的响应关系进行探讨。结果显示,在氮磷与营养物响应关系方面,消减入湖氮磷负荷能有效降低乌梁素海湖区相应营养物浓度,且随消减量的加大,其浓度也不断降低。同时消减入湖N,P负荷的20%,营养物TN,TP浓度分别降低17.06%和4.83%;消减入湖N,P负荷的30%,营养物TN,TP浓度分别降低25.62%和6.92%;消减入湖N,P负荷的50%,营养物TN,TP浓度分别降低42.58%和11.56%。在氮磷与藻类响应关系方面,消减氮磷负荷可以有效降低湖内绿藻、蓝藻生物量。同时消减入湖N,P负荷的20%、30%和50%,绿藻及蓝藻生物量平均降幅分别为7.77%、12.60%、19.54%和6.05%、10.60%、13.12%。单一控制磷负荷亦能有效降低绿藻和蓝藻生物量,且作用更加明显,而单一控制氮反而会使蓝藻的生物量增加。因此,在乌梁素海富营养化的治理中,需采取同时消减入湖氮磷负荷或者单一消减磷负荷的措施,以实现抑制水华暴发、改善区域生态的目的。     

不同温度胁迫方式对中华绒螯蟹免疫化学指标的影响

为研究温度骤变在水生动物病害发生中的可能作用，本研究以中华绒螯蟹为材料，将环境温度从20℃突然升高或下降，然后在不同时间取样分析，从免疫学的角度探讨了不同的温度改变方式对中华绒螯蟹抗氧化能力的影响．研究结果表明，（1）在2h内将饲养水温从20℃升至32℃，然后在30min内降至20℃，中华绒螯蟹的血细胞密度（DHC）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活力先升高后下降，6h时出现峰值，3d后趋于稳定，丙二醛（MDA）的含量变化则呈相反趋势；（2）在24h内将饲养水温从20℃降至8℃，其DHC随时间的延长而逐渐降低，SOD和CAT先增加后下降，在d1出现峰值；而MDA的含量先下降后升高，在d3出现峰值，但总的来说，MDA的含量均高于0h处理组；（3）在24h内水温从20℃升至32℃，其SOD和CAT在温度变化6h后呈升高趋势，而后逐渐下降，DHC的变化无一定规律，但均明显低于0h处理组，MDA的含量随时间延长而增加．以上结果表明，温度胁迫使中华绒螯蟹机体抗氧化能力下降，从而导致机体的氧化代谢失衡和免疫防御能力下降．     

东海大型底栖生物次级生产力研究

根据2000年秋季和2001年春季在东海23个大面站进行的大型底栖生物定量采集样品资料，利用Brey’s（1990）的经验公式对调查海区进行了大型底栖生物栖息密度、生物量、次级生产力和P／B值的研究和计算．结果表明，该海域大型底栖生物平均栖息密度在秋季为87m^-2，远低于春季的138m^-2，而平均生物量以去灰干重计，秋季为1．40gm^-2，高于春季的1．25gm^-2；年平均次级生产力以去灰干重计，为1．62gm^-2a^-1，远低于渤海和南黄海．研究表明，大型底栖生物生物量和次级生产力受水温和水深的影响，平均P／B值在研究海域为1．41a^-1，高于渤海和黄海，表明在东海大型底栖生物中个体小而代谢快、生活史短的种在大型底栖生物中占的比重要大于渤海和南黄海，P／B值随水温升高而升高，图2表2参28     

水体营养水平对3种沉水植物生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

模拟研究了沉水植物狐尾藻Myriophyllum spicatum L、轮叶黑藻Hydrilla verticillata L和金鱼藻Ceratophyllum demersum L在中、富两种营养水平下的生长及生理特性.研究结果表明,在45 d的培养过程中,狐尾藻、轮叶黑藻和金鱼藻在中营养(TN1.86 mg·L-1;TP0.087 mg·L-1)和富营养(TN2.47 mg·L-1;TP0.16 mg·L-1)水平下的单株最大生物量分别是0.92、0.27、1.11、0.56、0.41和0.87 g,狐尾藻和金鱼藻在中营养水平下单株最大生物量分别较富营养水平下高出39%和22%,而黑藻在中营养水平下单株最大生物量较富营养水平下低了51%,表明狐尾藻和金鱼藻在中营养水平下的生长较黑藻好.通过对3种沉水植物可溶性蛋白和叶绿素质量分数的分析发现,黑藻在中富两种营养水平下,质量分数较低且波动平稳,金鱼藻和狐尾藻可溶性蛋白和叶绿素质量分数持续升高,表明这两种沉水植物对水体中营养盐的耐受能力较黑藻强.金鱼藻超氧歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(peroxidase)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量在试验后期上升速度加快,且富营养水平下金鱼藻MDA质量分数的最大值是中营养水平下最大值的5倍,表明在中营养水平下金鱼藻已经受到明显胁迫,而在富营养水平下受到胁迫更为显著.在本试验条件下,黑藻生物量小,而金鱼藻SOD活性、POD活性和MDA质量分数变化幅度大,在试验后期急速上升,表明这两种沉水植物受到的营养盐胁迫较狐尾藻大,而狐尾藻在中营养水平下的耐营养盐胁迫能力较强.     

不同谷氨酸浓度下钝顶螺旋藻的生长反应

通过在Zarrouk培养基中添加不同浓度的谷氨酸（Glu）对螺旋藻进行混合营养培养，研究了不同浓度的Glu对螺旋藻的生长、叶绿素、蛋白质含量以及光合作用的影响，结果表明，Glu浓度小于1．0gL^-1时，藻生长状态、生理活性都明显优于Z氏培养基，其中以在0．8gL^-1浓度时生长最好；当Glu浓度为1．0gL^-1时，藻的生长状态与Z氏培养基中极为相似；Glu浓度大于1．0gL^-1时，对藻的生长产生一定抑制作用，Glu的添加对藻液体系的pH值有一定的缓冲作用，图4表2参7     

刚毛藻表流湿地裸藻水华的形成与消退

刚毛藻表流湿地(SFCW-CLA)可以有效富集农村分散式污水中的营养物,并回收刚毛藻及其中的微生物作为鱼饲料,但控制不当易发生裸藻水华.分别于2014年和2015年进行优势刚毛藻表流湿地试验(DCT)和全周期刚毛藻表流湿地试验(LCT),研究环境因子(温度和太阳辐照)、营养物(TN、TP、TIC和TOC)消耗速率与SFCW-CLA中刚毛藻和裸藻生长速率的关系;并通过人工气候箱微型试验研究SFCW-CLA裸藻水华的消退机制.实验结果表明,刚毛藻的生长速率与TN、TP和TIC的消耗速率均有关,相关系数和拒绝概率分别为(R=0.66,P=0.11)、(R=0.74,P=O.06)和(R=0.83,P=0.02);裸藻的生长速率与TN(R=-0.89,P=0.01)、TP(R=-0.86,P=0.01)和TIC(R=-0.91,P=0.00)的消耗速率负相关,裸藻浓度和TOC消耗速率(R=0.60,P=0.16)正相关.刚毛藻的生长与环境温度显著相关,与太阳辐照没有相关性,说明自然光照能满足刚毛藻的生长;裸藻的生长与环境温度和太阳辐照均没有相关性,但裸藻变态明显受到太阳辐照的影响,DCT和LCT中裸藻水华持续时间的差异可能与期间环境温度和太阳辐照的差异有关; SFCW-CLA中裸藻水华的消退还直接受到太阳虫和变形虫的捕食作用影响.     

光生物反应器培养紫球藻及藻粉降血脂的研究

研究了搅拌式光生物反应器中搅拌速度、通气量对紫球藻生长、胞外多糖和藻细胞超微结构的影响．实验结果表明：在特定光照(1000μmolm^-2s^-1)和培养温度(25℃)条件下，当搅拌转速为200r／min、通气量为0．71vvm时，藻生长速度和胞外多糖含量最高；增加通气量有利于藻细胞胞外多糖及生物量的提高．对藻细胞超微结构的观察发现，与摇床培养相比，搅拌式光生物反应器使藻细胞淀粉颗粒明显增多，粘质鞘层变薄，光合片层增多．动物实验表明，紫球藻能明显降低摄食高脂饲料SD大鼠血脂TC、TG、LDL-C水平，并提高HDL-C含量．实验结果预示，紫球藻对预防动脉粥样硬化和冠心病的发生有一定的意义．图2表3参26     

热带大型水库蓝藻群落季节动态特征——以大沙河和高州水库为例

为了解热带大型水库蓝藻群落结构的组成和季节动态,于2011年和2010年分别对两座热带大型水库进行逐月采样,研究其蓝藻群落结构的组成和季节动态特征,并探讨关键的环境因子。两座水库共检测到蓝藻14属,在蓝藻种类组成上两座水库没有明显差异,但蓝藻群落结构和季节动态差异明显。生态幅较宽的种类,如鱼腥藻Anabaena、蓝纤维藻Dactylococcopsis、微囊藻Microcystis分布较广且多为优势种。高州水库为中营养水体,蓝藻生物量在0.039 mg·L~(-1)以下,丰水期蓝藻生物量较高,以丝状蓝藻(泽丝藻Limnothrix)、假鱼腥藻Pseudanabaena和蓝纤维藻)为优势种。大沙河水库为富营养水体,全年蓝藻生物量在0.23 mg·L~(-1)以上,枯水期蓝藻生物量较高,在3~12 mg·L~(-1)之间,以具伪空泡结构的蓝藻(微囊藻和鱼腥藻)为优势种。冗余分析结果表明,总磷、总氮、温度、硝氮、正磷酸盐、真光层深度以及真光层与混合层深度之比等7个环境变量对蓝藻群落有显著作用(P0.05),其中总磷浓度与群落的相关性最高,其次为总氮和温度。相对于中营养水体,富营养水体的光可获得性更低,同时营养盐的限制作用较弱,具有伪空泡结构的蓝藻多为优势种。在富营养的大沙河水库,微囊藻和鱼腥藻全年维持一定的生物量,不存在温带水体的"越冬"现象,且其生物量在冬季更高。热带水体蓝藻群落的演替机制与温带、亚热带地区有较大的区别,温度对蓝藻群落的作用以间接作用为主。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.