嘉兴平原土壤渍害及防治对策

９０年代以来，嘉兴洪涝灾害频发，造成土壤渍害，由此造成的粮食损失至少７．５万ｔ／ａ，约占全市粮食总产的３％。低洼涝渍田和粘闭滞渍田是渍害土壤的主要类型，约占全市低产田总面积的８０％，调查了渍害土壤的范围、分布，对其理化性质、土体发育特征以及渍害的发展趋势进行了分析，提出了相应的防治对策。     

江汉平原农田渍害与土壤潜育化发展现状及治理对策

江汉平原不同类型的渍害低产田面积已达2.9×105 hm2；综合治理农田渍害、改良利用涝渍低产田，长期以来一直是该区农业发展中的首要任务。文章从区域水文地质、地貌条件、恳殖和耕作的影响等方面，分析了江汉平原农田渍害与土壤潜育化形成的原因，并提出了综合治理农田渍害和改良涝渍低产田的对策。根据对现有资料的分析，认为在目前的社会经济条件下还难以从根本上阻止江汉平原农田渍害和土壤潜育化的发展。     

东莞市不同区域菜地土壤重金属污染状况研究

对东莞市及其不同区域菜地土壤重金属污染情况进行了调查和分析，参照国家土壤环境质量标准，运用单因子污染指数法和综合污染指数法对上述土壤质量进行了评价。结果表明，全市和各区土壤受到了不同程度的重金属污染，具体表现为：全市土壤Cd、Cu、Ni和Pb的超标率分别为4．9％，6．6％，3．3％和95．1％，均处于轻污染状态，以Pb污染最严重；土壤Cr未有超标，仅西北区域达到了警戒级水平。全市土壤重金属含量各样点间变异较大(Zn、Cr、Pb、Cd、Cu、Ni和有效Cu、Zn的变异系数分别为51．5％，54．1％，37．5％，48．8％，60．2％，57．3％和85．3％，64．7％)，但对各重金属元素而言却存在着不同程度的区域差异。     

温室气体排放与中国粮食生产

中国用占世界8％的土地养活了世界上1／5的人口，粮食生产已经基本满足了现有人口的需求。但是，生产粮食会向大气释放大最的温室气体。面对全球减少温室气体排放的压力，在粮食生产中，增加农田生态系统的碳固定能力及减少N2O和CH4的排放，直接关系着中国粮食生产的未来发展。文章分析全球和中国温室气体排放清单中粮食生产的作用和意义；利用生物地球化学模型DNDC和中国农业生产数据库，估算中国农田生态系统的土壤碳动态和N2O排放；通过情景分析(Scenario)，预测在不同方案下，中国农田生态系统碳动态和N2O的排放量；提出了我国未来粮食生产应该采取的对策和技术措施。     

暗管排水治理渍害田初探

暗管排渍改良低产稻田的试验结果表明,暗管排水显著降低地下水埋探,提高了土壤通透性,减少了土壤中的有毒物质,改善了水稻生长的土壤环境。在宾阳试区和环江试区采用不同水稻品种试验结果表明。与改良前的1989年相比,分别增产53.8％和36.5和36.5％;比同年农艺措施相同的明沟排水田分别增产11.15％和19.93％。     

人为诱导下中国的土壤退化问题

根据ASSOD人为诱导下土壤退化的概念，结合中国的实际情况，分析了中国土壤侵蚀、荒漠化、盐碱化、贫瘠化、潜育化、土壤污染和土壤生产力丧失等主要土壤退化类型的动态变化，概括了中国人为诱导下土壤退化的特点及研究前景。到目前为止，中国土壤侵蚀的总面积约占全国土地面积的六分之一，主要分布在黄河流域、南方红色土壤丘陵地区和东北地区；土壤荒漠化主要分布在北部和西北部，特别是农牧交错地带，其原因主要包括不当的土地利用方式和沙丘移动占据农地或牧场而使之丧失生产功能；土壤盐碱化主要分布在黄淮海平原、东北平原西部、黄河河套地区、西北内陆地区，其原因主要是由于人为灌溉造成的土壤次生盐碱化所致；由于过度垦殖，土壤因有机质匮乏而导致养分失衡；土壤养分长期的低投入、高支出造成全国范围土壤肥力的下降；土壤潜育化主要分布在东北和四川阿坝地区，冻融造成土壤表层滞水是其主要成因；随着化学农业和城市化对农田的影响，土壤中的有毒物质不断积累，土壤大量被用于非农业，土壤性状、环境发生了显著变化，也对人类健康构成了严重的威胁。     

广东土地退化及治理对策

本文概述土地退化的原因和状况。通过对广东山区土壤和东江流域低产耕地的大批土壤剖面分析数据的统计和推算,结果表明,广东的林地退化面积约占全省陆地面积的35％;旱地土地退化面积占全省旱地总面积的95％;水田土地退化面积约占全省水田总面积的25％。根据广东的省情,提出土地退化治理的对策:提高认识,增加投入,组织力量,开展调查摸底;制订整体治理规划,分步实施;明确治理的中心任务,推进面上治理利用,加强研究工作。     

博罗县下村农场缓坡台地赤红壤的水分性能及其意义

博罗县下村农场地处花岗岩类型的缓坡台地，分布的土壤为赤红壤，其表土层多属中壤土，总孔隙度因利用方式不同而略有差异，待垦荒坡一般为５０％－５５％，全垦后辟为梯地的果园则＜５０％，但由于下层的较表层的低，致使剖面的土壤透水性较低，影响降水的入渗。土壤的持水能力较强，但土壤有效水量偏低，在熟化度略高的果园土壤中可占总库容量的５５％，未开垦的则仅占３０％－３５％。在有效水量范围内，当土壤吸力为８００ｋＰａ时，可释放出总有效水量的７０％－８０％。在土壤吸力分别为５０ｋＰａ、８００ｋＰａ时，土壤水容量分别降到１０－２、１０－３数量级，所以，如果连续７—８天未下雨，则土壤容易出现干旱。     

毛发、粮食、土壤中微量硒的荧光分光光度法

本文系采取2,3-二氨基萘试剂,用荧光分光光度法测定毛发、粮食、土壤中微量硒的分析方法。对分析试验条件作了探讨,此法不受一般的干扰,灵敏度高,每毫升环己烷中硒的最低测出量为0.001ug;精密度和准确度:毛发、粮食、土壤中硒的测出值的变异系数及样品中加入标准硒的回收率分别为1.30％、1.10％、1.05％及98.5—102.9％、95.9—101.5％、96.8—102.5％。     

洞庭湖区湿地综合资源管理与复合生态系统建设

通过对洞庭湖区湿地衰退原因与特征的分析,提出合理开发湿地资源必须强化湿地整体管理,控制湿地开发规模,适度退田还湖还蓄（洪区）,调整农业布局与种植制度,走集约持续发展之路,建设复合高效湿地生态系统;进行适应洪涝灾害发生规律的避洪、耐渍型生态设计,建立适应浅水水体、湖洲和低湖渍害田的复合高效生态工程模式。     

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.     

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.     

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.