双酚A对斑马鱼不同发育阶段的毒性及机理

对双酚A(BPA)暴露下的斑马鱼胚胎、仔鱼和成鱼三个发育阶段进行对比研究,并从代谢和DNA损伤两个角度对其致毒机理进行初步探讨.结果显示: 斑马鱼成鱼24h的LC50(8.00-10.00mg·l-1)比胚胎(16.4±0.40mg·l-1)低,表明斑马鱼成鱼更适用于急性毒性试验,而胚胎更能体现出亚急性效应和遗传效应;在5.00mg·l-1 的BPA中连续暴露48h后,胚胎和成鱼体内的BPA含量分别为373.57±39.76μg·g-1和155.78±17.97μg·g-1,即胚胎在5.00mg·l-1 BPA溶液中的蓄积能力大约是成鱼的两倍; DNA断裂检测表明BPA对斑马鱼胚胎的DNA造成了一定程度的损伤.     

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。     

五氯酚和八氯代二苯并二嗯英复合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应

为了评价环境中五氯酚(PCP)和八氯代二苯并二嚼英(OCDD)对水环境以及鱼类的影响,以斑马鱼为模式生物,研究了PCP和OCDD对其胚胎发育的单一及复合毒性效应.结果表明,PCP单独暴露(浓度25μg·L-1～5mg·L-1)对斑马鱼胚胎发育具有较强的毒性效应,可导致胚胎孵化率显著下降,死亡率、畸形率显著上升,而OCDD单独暴露(200、500μg·L-1)对斑马鱼胚胎发育没有明显的毒性效应;OCDD与环境浓度的PCP复合暴露(OCDD PCP1:250μg·L-1 25μg·L-1;OCDD PCP2:250μg·L-1 50μg·L-1)对斑马鱼胚胎的存活与发育等没有显著影响,对斑马鱼胚胎内CYP1A基因表达以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的酶活力也没有显著影响,在实验浓度下二者共存没有明显的复合毒性效应.     

纳米银和银离子对斑马鱼胚胎早期生长发育的影响及作用机制

为探究纳米银对水生生物的毒性作用,选取斑马鱼胚胎为受试生物,考察了纳米银对斑马鱼胚胎早期生长发育的影响,同时比较了纳米银与银离子对斑马鱼胚胎的毒性作用和机理。实验将受精后4小时(4 hpf)的斑马鱼胚胎分别暴露于不同浓度的纳米银和银离子溶液中至96 hpf,观察并记录了胚胎的死亡、孵化和畸形等指标。应用吖啶橙(AO)染色实验研究了胚胎暴露之后的细胞凋亡情况,并且应用荧光定量PCR技术分析了相关基因的表达水平。研究结果表明,随着暴露浓度的增加,纳米银和银离子均能导致斑马鱼胚胎的死亡率增加和孵化率降低,并且引起孵化延迟。纳米银和银离子的96 h半数致死浓度(96 h-LC50)分别为11.75 mg·L-1和0.054 mg·L-1。银离子毒性远大于纳米银毒性。暴露的斑马鱼胚胎均表现出体长变短和卵黄囊肿大的畸形。AO染色结果表明,纳米银和银离子处理组胚胎的躯干和卵黄囊部位存在细胞凋亡信号。基因表达分析结果显示,1.93 mg·L-1纳米银显著提高了斑马鱼胚胎caspase9的表达(P0.05),而0.006 mg·L-1的银离子就能显著上调COX-2a(P0.01)和COX-17(P0.05)基因的表达,同时0.036 mg·L-1银离子增加了斑马鱼体内p53基因的表达(P0.05)。以上研究结果说明,纳米银可能通过caspase通路诱导细胞凋亡进而影响斑马鱼胚胎的生长发育;而银离子不但影响氧化系统基因通路,还能通过p53诱导凋亡进而阻滞斑马鱼胚胎的生长发育。     

变性高效液相色谱在大通量筛查基因突变中的应用

应用变性高效液相色谱(DHPLC)对已知序列的含外显子7的斑马鱼p53基因片段PCR产物进行突变检测,结果表明,通过克隆测序方法检测出的点突变,用DHPLC同样可以检出.且对该片段的最优化检测柱温为60℃,其特异性很好,敏感性大于95%.     

基于傅里叶变换红外光谱技术分析壬基酚和双酚A对斑马鱼胚胎的影响

壬基酚(4-NP)和双酚A(BPA)是2种在环境中普遍检出的雌激素物质,已经在地表水中广泛检出,且浓度很高。壬基酚和双酚A在地表水中检测浓度最高分别达到了644μg·L^(-1)和12μg·L(-1)和12μg·L^(-1)。目前有大量研究表明壬基酚和双酚A具有环境内分泌干扰效应,但是较少研究利用傅里叶变换红外光谱技术分析这2种物质对斑马鱼胚胎生理生化的影响。傅里叶变换红外光谱作为一种基于官能团和极性键振动结构分析技术,已广泛用于大分子化合物结构分析以及蛋白质的二级结构解析,是获取分子结构信息的有力工具,经常用于毒理学领域。本研究基于傅里叶变换红外光谱技术,分析了壬基酚和双酚A对斑马鱼胚胎的毒性。结果表明,当壬基酚≥322μg·L(-1)。目前有大量研究表明壬基酚和双酚A具有环境内分泌干扰效应,但是较少研究利用傅里叶变换红外光谱技术分析这2种物质对斑马鱼胚胎生理生化的影响。傅里叶变换红外光谱作为一种基于官能团和极性键振动结构分析技术,已广泛用于大分子化合物结构分析以及蛋白质的二级结构解析,是获取分子结构信息的有力工具,经常用于毒理学领域。本研究基于傅里叶变换红外光谱技术,分析了壬基酚和双酚A对斑马鱼胚胎的毒性。结果表明,当壬基酚≥322μg·L^(-1)时,斑马鱼胚胎72 hpf孵化率分别只有33%、5%、0%、0%和0%;同时,暴露96 h时,可显著降低斑马鱼胚胎的存活率和增加致畸指数,且呈浓度依赖特征。特别是849.5μg·L(-1)时,斑马鱼胚胎72 hpf孵化率分别只有33%、5%、0%、0%和0%;同时,暴露96 h时,可显著降低斑马鱼胚胎的存活率和增加致畸指数,且呈浓度依赖特征。特别是849.5μg·L^(-1)和1 038.5μg·L(-1)和1 038.5μg·L^(-1)壬基酚暴露后,斑马鱼胚胎全部死亡。类似地,当双酚A≥5.55 mg·L(-1)壬基酚暴露后,斑马鱼胚胎全部死亡。类似地,当双酚A≥5.55 mg·L^(-1)时,斑马鱼胚胎72 hpf孵化率分别只有30%、0%、0%和0%;暴露96 h时,双酚A≥7.5 mg·L(-1)时,斑马鱼胚胎72 hpf孵化率分别只有30%、0%、0%和0%;暴露96 h时,双酚A≥7.5 mg·L^(-1)也导致斑马鱼胚胎的存活率显著下降和增加致畸指数,并随着浓度升高毒性增大。以胚胎死亡率和致畸形指数作为效应终点,壬基酚对斑马鱼胚胎的96 h-LC_(50)和EC_(50)分别为481.7μg·L(-1)也导致斑马鱼胚胎的存活率显著下降和增加致畸指数,并随着浓度升高毒性增大。以胚胎死亡率和致畸形指数作为效应终点,壬基酚对斑马鱼胚胎的96 h-LC_(50)和EC_(50)分别为481.7μg·L^(-1)和362.6μg·L(-1)和362.6μg·L^(-1);双酚A对斑马鱼胚胎的96 h-LC_(50)和EC_(50)为8.8 mg·L(-1);双酚A对斑马鱼胚胎的96 h-LC_(50)和EC_(50)为8.8 mg·L^(-1)和7.9 mg·L(-1)和7.9 mg·L^(-1)。红外光谱分析显示,当壬基酚≥158.5μg·L(-1)。红外光谱分析显示,当壬基酚≥158.5μg·L^(-1)时,对酰胺Ⅱ、脂质、蛋白磷酸化等波数有显著影响;当双酚A≥1.75 mg·L(-1)时,对酰胺Ⅱ、脂质、蛋白磷酸化等波数有显著影响;当双酚A≥1.75 mg·L^(-1)时,对酰胺Ⅰ、酰胺Ⅱ、脂质和碳水化合物等波数有显著影响。上述研究结果显示壬基酚和双酚A对斑马鱼存活率、畸形率以及生理生化均有显著的影响。     

全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)和多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)复合对斑马鱼外周血红细胞DNA的损伤

为了评价全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)和多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)对水环境及鱼类的影响,以斑马鱼为模式生物,研究了PFOS和MWCNTs复合对斑马鱼外周血红细胞的DNA损伤。将成年斑马鱼暴露于PFOS(0.2、0.4、0.8、1.6 mg·L-1)、MWCNTs(50 mg·L-1)、PFOS+MWCNTs(0.2+50、0.4+50、0.8+50、1.6+50 mg·L-1)和对照溶液中30 d后,断尾取血进行微核试验和彗星试验。结果表明:PFOS和MWCNTs均可造成斑马鱼外周血红细胞的DNA损伤。1.6 mg·L-1PFOS处理组的微核率、Olive尾矩及尾长分别为(36.3±0.25)‰、(87.91±14.90)μm和(250.49±34.71)μm。PFOS与MWCNTs复合后,斑马鱼外周血红细胞的DNA损伤效应明显降低。复合处理组斑马鱼外周血红细胞的微核率、Olive尾矩及尾长均低于PFOS单独处理相。1.6 mg·L-1复合处理组的微核率、Olive尾矩及尾长比PFOS单独处理组分别降低了24.7%、68.9%、52.4%。因此,在实验浓度范围内,MWCNTs可以降低PFOS对斑马鱼外周血红细胞的DNA损伤。     

节球藻毒素对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应

研究了节球藻毒素对斑马鱼(Danio rerio)胚胎的急性毒性效应。采用水浴染毒法,将受精后2h的斑马鱼卵分别暴露于含有0、50、100、200、400、800、1600及3200μg·L-1节球藻毒素的试液中,显微观察不同浓度节球藻毒素对斑马鱼受精卵及其胚胎发育过程的影响,并通过累计孵化率、死亡率、发育畸形率的比较,评价节球藻毒素对斑马鱼胚胎的发育毒性。结果显示:随着节球藻毒素浓度的增加,斑马鱼胚胎的孵化率降低、死亡率和畸形率增加。与对照组比较,浓度≥1600μg·L-1的实验组胚胎发育明显迟缓。浓度≥400μg·L-1时,胚胎孵化率显著降低,72hpf的孵化率由对照组的87%降低到高浓度组(3200μg·L-1)的7%。浓度≥800μg·L-1时,斑马鱼的死亡率、畸形率明显升高;144hpf的死亡率由对照组的7%增加到73%;144hpf的畸形率由对照组的0%增加到93%,畸形主要表现为脊柱弯曲,心包囊肿,尾畸弯曲等。节球藻毒素暴露48hpf对斑马鱼半致死浓度LC50为2572.76μg·L-1,暴露144hpf时为1056.33μg·L-1。节球藻毒素对斑马鱼早期生命发育阶段有一定的抑制效应,高浓度亦会导致死亡。     

麻醉剂依托咪酯诱导斑马鱼幼鱼神经发育毒性

依托咪酯(etomidate, ET)在临床上常被用作麻醉剂。ET长期高剂量地使用会导致人类意识下降和认知障碍等负面效应。但ET对鱼类的神经毒性机制尚不清楚。在本文中,2 hpf (hours post-fertilization)的斑马鱼胚胎暴露于不同浓度ET (0.010、0.091、0.501、9.400、84.31和664.4μg·L^-1)至168 hpf。通过分析ET对斑马鱼胚胎生理发育、早期行为、细胞凋亡以及多巴胺(dopamine, DA)和γ氨基丁酸(gamma aminobutyric acid, GABA)通路相关基因转录表达水平的影响,评估其对斑马鱼幼鱼神经发育毒性。结果表明,664.4μg·L^-1 ET显著增大48 hpf和60 hpf斑马鱼胚胎孵化率。0.091μg·L^-1和0.501μg·L^-1 ET诱导168 hpf幼鱼体长减少。0.010、0.091、0.501、9.400、84.31和664.4μg·L^-1 ET增大48 hpf胚胎畸形评分。0...     

全氟辛烷磺酸对斑马鱼肝脏影响机制的代谢组学研究

为探究全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)对水生动物肝脏的慢性毒性毒害机制,寻找其肝脏慢性毒性相关的潜在标志物,运用气相色谱-质谱联用仪代谢组学方法研究暴露于PFOS中斑马鱼肝脏内源性代谢物的变化,寻找显著性差异代谢物及相关通路。实验分为4组:对照组及PFOS浓度分别为10、100、250μg·L~(-1)的实验组,每组20尾斑马鱼,实验时长40 d。结果显示,与对照组相比,PFOS浓度为10μg·L~(-1)的斑马鱼肝脏中筛选出4种发生显著性变化的代谢物,分别为牛磺酸、磷酸乙酰胺、β-D-葡萄糖、油酸,涉及4条代谢通路,即牛磺酸和亚牛磺酸代谢、鞘脂代谢、甘油磷脂代谢、糖酵解或葡萄糖生成。100μg·L~(-1)浓度组的斑马鱼肝脏中筛选出5种,包括牛磺酸、β-D-葡萄糖、棕榈酸、油酸、胆固醇,涉及5条代谢通路,即原代胆汁酸生物合成、牛磺酸和亚牛磺酸代谢、类固醇生物合成、类固醇激素生物合成、糖酵解或葡萄糖生成。250μg·L~(-1)浓度组的斑马鱼肝脏中筛选出5种,即牛磺酸、β-D-葡萄糖、乳酸、甘油-3-磷酸、磷酸乙酰胺,涉及5条代谢通路:牛磺酸和亚牛磺酸代谢、甘油磷脂代谢、甘油脂代谢、鞘脂代谢、糖酵解或葡萄糖生成。根据筛选出的差异代谢物生理功能和其涉及代谢通路分析,推测PFOS主要通过影响牛磺酸和亚牛磺酸代谢、糖酵解或葡萄糖生成及一些脂类代谢从而对斑马鱼肝脏产生毒性效应,其中牛磺酸、葡萄糖与油酸这3种代谢物可作为斑马鱼受PFOS胁迫肝脏代谢异常的潜在标记物。     

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.     

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.     

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.