部分城市污泥中氯苯类化合物的初步研究

应用GC/MS对我国 1 1个城市污泥中的 5种氯苯化合物 (CBs)进行了研究 .结果表明 ,各城市污泥中CBs的总含量 (ΣCBs)在 0 0 1 0— 6 91 7mg·kg- 1之间 ,绝大部分低于 1 0mg·kg- 1,依次是兰州 >北京 >香港大埔 >无锡 >香港元朗 >广州 >佛山>香港沙田 >西安 >珠海 >深圳 .各城市污泥的CBs都是以个别或少数化合物为主 ,显示出不同的分布特征 ,主要是 1 2 4 三氯苯和六氯苯 ,其它化合物含量普遍较低 .各种CBs化合物的最高含量主要分布于兰州污泥和无锡污泥中 .城市污泥中CBs的含量与污水来源、污水处理方式、污泥类型和CBs化合物的理化性质有关 .     

蚯蚓-稻壳炭联合堆肥对工业污泥中重金属的影响研究

蚯蚓堆肥相关研究多集中在生活污泥方面,对工业污泥的探索较少。该研究以马鞍山某钢铁污水处理站污泥为例,添加不同比例稻壳炭(2%、4%、8%),设置污泥单独堆肥、稻壳炭与污泥堆肥以及蚯蚓-稻壳炭联合污泥堆肥试验,探索蚯蚓与稻壳炭联合堆肥对工业污泥中重金属形态和生物有效性的影响。研究表明,(1)相比污泥单独堆肥,稻壳炭联合污泥堆肥能增加污泥pH、EC、TP和降低TOC、TN,而蚯蚓联合稻壳炭堆肥污泥可增加TN,并进一步增加污泥EC、TP,显著降低污泥的pH、TOC。(2)稻壳炭堆肥中重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd含量因浓缩效应而上升;而蚯蚓联合稻壳炭堆肥,重金属含量显著下降,添加4%稻壳炭时,重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd质量分数达到最小值,分别为856.64、137.10、158.92、15.48mg·kg-1。(3)重金属形态分析表明,随着稻壳炭比例增加,稻壳炭堆肥中重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd的交换态和碳酸盐结合态转化为残渣态及铁锰氧化态的比例增大,添加8%稻壳炭时DTPA提取的有效态重金属质量分数最低,分别为705.72、47.95、50.43、4.47 mg·kg-1;蚯蚓-稻壳炭联合堆肥会使得污泥中重金属交换态、碳酸盐结合态、铁锰结合态和有机结合态均向残渣态转化,添加4%稻壳炭与蚯蚓的协同转化能力最大,Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd有效态重金属质量分数分别为629.84、38.63、36.76、1.63mg·kg-1,说明稻壳炭添加入蚯蚓堆肥可进一步降低工业污泥中重金属有效性,使重金属钝化。本研究可为稻壳炭联合蚯蚓堆肥处理工业污泥提供参考和科学依据。     

不同堆制方法对牛粪和鸡粪发酵脱水的影响

以新鲜鸡、牛粪为材料 ,研究了不同堆制方法对粪便发酵温度与脱水率的影响。结果表明 :牛粪中添加 10 0g·kg-1的稻草在堆制开始 5d ,温度较高 ,但第 3 0天时脱水率反而低于添加 5 0g·kg-1稻草的处理 ;覆盖薄膜降低了粪便脱水速率 ;分批添加物料方法发酵 12d ,堆肥含水量由开始的 5 2 0g·kg-1下降到 5 0 3g·kg-1,而同期 1次添加物料方法发酵 ,堆肥水分含量为 5 5 4g·kg-1。     

山西工矿区土壤二氧化硫与多环芳烃复合污染对小麦种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

以小麦为供试植物,山西工矿区生黄土为供试土壤,进行了土壤中二氧化硫(SO2)与多环芳烃(PAHs)单一及复合污染对小麦种子萌发率及小麦幼苗株高、根伸长和地下生物量影响的研究,以期考察复合污染的生态毒性效应。结果表明,小麦种子萌发对SO2与PAHs单一及复合污染均不敏感;SO2和PAHs单一污染时,小麦幼苗的株高与根伸长均受到一定程度的影响,低浓度SO2或PAHs处理对小麦生长起促进作用,高浓度则为抑制作用;小麦幼苗株高与SO2浓度呈显著负相关(r=-0.954,P<0.05),但与PAHs浓度的相关性不显著;SO2与PAHs复合污染条件下,对小麦幼苗株高或根伸长的联合作用多体现为协同作用,在低浓度情况下(SO2<500mg·kg-1)表现为协同促进;当SO2达到500～1000mg·kg-1时,对小麦幼苗株高或根伸长的联合作用均体现为协同抑制。SO2和PAHs单一污染时,小麦幼苗地下生物量与SO2、PAHs浓度均为显著负相关(rPAHs=-0.953,rSO2=-0.916,P<0.05);复合污染条件下,在SO2浓度为10mg·kg-1时,对地下生物量的联合作用多体现协同促进作用;而在SO2浓度为1000mg·kg-1,PAHs为50～100mg·kg-1时,对地下生物量的联合作用均体现为协同抑制作用。多元逐步回归分析进一步表明,SO2与PAHs复合污染条件下,小麦幼苗株高、根伸长都受到了SO2及PAHs的共同影响,而SO2是影响小麦幼苗地下生物量的主要因素。     

多环芳烃降解菌的获得及应用

运用双相(水-硅油)系统可进行有机物降解菌的筛选．本实验用此法获得了多环芳烃(PAHs)的降解菌，降解菌对PAHs有较好的降解作用．堆肥法处理PAHs中接入筛选到的降解菌可以大大加强降解效果．堆肥过程中堆温升高很快，对一些PAHs如荧蒽、芘、苯并[a]芘等可以彻底清除，对更多环的PAHs也可降到很低的浓度．图1表3参4     

菲、芘、1,2,4-三氯苯对蚯蚓的急性毒性效应

测定了草甸棕壤条件下 ,菲、芘和 1,2 ,4-三氯苯单一与复合污染对蚯蚓的急性致死及亚致死效应。结果表明 ,3种化学品的浓度与蚯蚓死亡率显著相关 (α =0 .0 5 ,r菲 =0 .87,r芘 =0 .85 ,r三氯苯 =0 .95 ) ,与蚯蚓亚致死效应的相关性稍低 (α =0 .0 5 ,r菲 =0 .75 ,r芘 =0 .72 ,r三氯苯 =0 .85 )。蚯蚓个体对 3种有机物毒性的耐受程度差别较大。引起蚯蚓死亡的毒性阈值浓度菲和 1,2 ,4-三氯苯均为 2 0mg·kg-1,芘为 2 0 0 0mg·kg-1;引起蚯蚓体重增长率下降的亚急性毒性阈值浓度分别为菲 2 0mg·kg-1、1,2 ,4-三氯苯 3 0 0mg·kg-1、芘 10 0 0mg·kg-1;LC10 0 分别为菲 10 0mg·kg-1,1,2 ,4-三氯苯 3 5 0mg·kg-1。由于芘的低水溶性和低毒性 ,无法计算LC10 0 。实验还表明 ,复合污染主要表现为协同和拮抗作用     

奶牛粪便翻堆式与槽式堆肥过程气体排放规律及养分损失原位监测

为探究奶牛粪便翻堆式与槽式堆肥过程中温室气体和氨气(NH₃)排放规律及养分损失情况,采用原位监测的方法,通过静态采气箱和气体在线监测设备,分别对奶牛粪便翻堆式和槽式堆体开展为期36 d的气体监测。结果表明,翻堆式堆肥过程中甲烷(CH₄)、氧化亚氮(N2_O)和NH₃排放主要集中于翻堆阶段;槽式堆肥过程中CH₄和NH₃排放主要集中于堆肥前期,N2_O排放则主要集中于堆肥中后期。堆体管理措施及物料特性显著影响堆肥气体的排放。翻堆式堆肥过程中翻堆对气体排放的影响大于堆肥理化因子如温度、含水率以及pH值;而槽式堆肥过程中,降低堆体的平均温度可同时减缓堆肥过程中CH₄、二氧化碳(CO₂)和NH₃的释放。从养分损失来看,翻堆式和槽式堆肥过程中碳素总损失量分别占堆肥物料初始总碳含量(TC)的27.16%和21.53%,其中约80%以上的碳素损失来自CO₂-C。而堆肥过程中氮素总损失量分别占堆肥物料初始总氮含量(TN)的18.67%和13.44%,其中约80%以上的氮素损失来源于NH₃N。该研究表明,在保证堆体物料腐熟的前提下,降低翻堆频率可显著减缓翻堆式堆肥过程中温室气体和NH₃的排放;降低槽式堆肥堆体的温度可显著减少堆肥过程中CH₄、CO₂和NH₃的排放。该研究结果对于减少堆肥过程气态污染物排放和养分损失,提高堆肥效率具有重要的指导意义。     

污泥生物反应器填埋场中PAHs、PCBs含量变化及其影响因素

为了解生物反应器填埋场各填埋时期污泥中PAHs、PCBs的含量变化情况,探索影响PAHs、PCBs含量变化的主要因素,为矿化污泥的农用资源化提供科学依据,对生物反应器填埋场填埋400d污泥中PAHs、PCBs含量变化及其影响因素进行了系统研究.研究发现,各填埋时期PAHs的浓度范围为6.645～10.008:mg·kg1-,且随填埋时间增加呈现减小的趋势.PAHs化合物主要以4个苯环以上的化合物为主,而小于3个苯环的:PAHs化合物含量相对较低.各填埋时期污泥中的PCBs含量随填埋时间增加呈现减小的趋势,浓度范围为15.655～2 5.569 μg·kg1-,远低于国家规定的0.2 mg·kg-1的污泥农用标准.填埋初期污泥中PCBs主要以3-Cl和5-Cl化合物为主,填埋后期,2-Cl化合物大大增加,占总的PCBs含量的大部分.影响PAHs、PCBs含量变化的主要因素是生物对PAHs的降解转化.根据污泥中各污染物的含量对污染物进行源解析表明,污泥中PAHs主要来源于炼油厂、炼焦厂、煤气厂、冶炼厂和沥青厂等排放的废水.化工、木材加工、电器等工业污水是污泥中PCBs有机污染物的主要来源.     

SO2衍生物对C57BL/6小鼠肝脏T细胞亚群CD4+/CD8+的影响

为探讨二氧化硫(SO2)的肝脏免疫毒理效应,利用流式细胞仪(FACS)检测技术,分析了SO2体内代谢衍生物——亚硫酸钠(Na2SO3)与亚硫酸氢钠(NaHSO3)混合液(两者摩尔比为3:1)腹腔注射染毒对C57BL/6小鼠肝脏淋巴细胞T细胞亚群CD4+和CD8+的百分数以及CD4+/CD8+细胞比值的影响.实验组剂量分别为25、100、400mg·kg-1(body weight),染毒一周后,制备肝脏淋巴细胞悬液,经特异性荧光标记的CD4(FITC)、CD8(PE)单克隆抗体染色后,采用FACS流式细胞仪检测T淋巴细胞亚群百分数.研究发现:1)染毒后所有处理组肝脏CD4+T细胞所占的百分数显著升高(p<0.05);2)CD8+T细胞所占的百分数在100mg·kg-1、400mg·kg-1染毒组显著降低(p<0.05);3)CD4+/CD8+的比值在100mg·kg-1、400mg·kg-1染毒组显著升高(p<0.01).研究结果显示:SO2体内衍生物亚硫酸钠和亚硫酸氢钠可使肝脏CD4+/CD8+T细胞的比值显著升高,即SO2衍生物可使肝脏CD4和CD8淋巴细胞比例严重失调而使机体产生免疫紊乱.     

天津污灌区土壤中多环芳烃的提取、净化和测定

研究了天津污灌区严重污染土壤中 1 6种多环芳烃的提取和测定方法 .考察了加速溶剂提取的提取条件、样品净化方法和GC MS测定条件 .结果表明 ,在 1 4 0℃用1∶1二氯甲烷和丙酮提取 5min ,硅胶柱净化后用GC MS测定可以得到很好的效果 .方法回收率在 5 7%— 1 4 0 %之间 ,检测限为 3 5× 1 0 - 4— 1 1× 1 0 - 3 mg·l- 1,且重现性较好 .天津代表性污灌水稻土中 1 6种PAHs的实测浓度为 0 0 7— 1 2 7mg·kg- 1.     

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.