中华绒螯蟹幼蟹蜕壳期间池塘水环境的变化特征

为探究中华绒螯蟹幼蟹蜕壳期间池塘水环境的变化特征,于2018年5月7日至10月13日,对上海松江泖港地区幼蟹生态养殖池塘和水源进行水质监测.结果表明,大眼幼体经160 d养殖,蜕壳11次成长为幼蟹,T均值为27.0±2.9℃,总有效积温为3085.3℃·d;随蜕壳次数增加,有效积温增长趋势贴近指数函数y=42.166e~(0.2644)~x,R~2=0.9629;累计有效积温增长趋势贴近二次函数y=33.059x~2-98.244x+160.05,R~2=0.9992.幼蟹池溶解氧(DO)在养殖前期优于水源,NH~+_4-N、NO~-_2-N、NO~-_3-N总体优于水源,PO_4~(3-)-P在高温季节优于水源,COD_(Mn)在整个养殖阶段均较水源差.除TN、TP、COD_(Mn)有不同程度超标外,幼蟹池和水源其它水质因子基本符合渔业水质标准和地表水环境质量标准的Ⅲ级标准.     

氨氮对中华绒螯蟹仔蟹肝组织RNA/DNA及肝细胞结构的影响

以中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinesis）仔蟹为研究对象。采用静水试验法,温度在20℃左右,用氨氮与过滤海水分设5个质量浓度组（2.04、6.35、9.04、11.75和19.13 mg.L-1）,同时以过滤海水为对照组（氨氮质量浓度为0.30 mg.L-1）,每一个质量浓度组设3个平行样本,对中华绒螯蟹仔蟹进行6 d胁迫试验。每2 d观察仔蟹的蜕壳情况,并分别于实验后的2、4和6 d取仔蟹肝组织样,应用激光共聚焦技术分析测定RNA/DNA荧光相素比,同时用透射电镜观察6 d后,最高浓度组和对照组仔蟹肝细胞结构的变化情况。试验结果表明;对于氨氮的胁迫,仔蟹的变态率随染毒浓度的增高而降低,同时变态蜕壳的时间也会产生延迟现象。氨氮的胁迫会引起仔蟹的肝组织细胞内的DNA和RNA的质量分数逐渐降低,导致RNA/DNA比率的不断下降。在高质量浓度氨氮的胁迫下,使得仔蟹肝细胞线粒体部分解体、胞质空泡化和染色质浓缩、转运泡数量增多,体积增大,细胞出现许多空泡和微绒毛消失等一系列的损伤变化。破坏了仔蟹自身机能正常的代谢和生长水平。     

微生物菌剂对不同废水的适配试验

采用15种不同的微生物菌剂,以葡萄糖配水、中药提取废水、啤酒废水、氨氮配水等为基质,分别测定了微生物菌剂的耗氧速率和厌氧比产甲烷速率,以单位菌剂对不同基质的耗氧速率和厌氧比产甲烷活性为指标,比较了各菌剂对废水的适配性.根据测定结果选择活性高的菌剂,在试验室进行了菌剂对废水的连续处理试验.结果表明,不同菌剂对同一种废水的好氧或厌氧活性不同,同种菌剂对不同废水的好氧和厌氧活性不同.废水的连续处理试验取得良好的处理效果.No.8菌剂处理葡萄糖配水,系统有机负荷最高可达(COD)10.8 g L-1d-1,COD去除率可达90%以上;采用No.10菌剂处理氨氮配水,好氧氨氮负荷可达(NH4-N )1.42 g L-1d-1,厌氧氨氮负荷可达(NH4-N )0.3 gL-1d-1,系统NH4-N 去除率可达90%以上.图2表3参8     

好氧颗粒污泥耐受高碳氮负荷过程中的群体感应

为了探究好氧颗粒污泥耐受高负荷碳氮的生物学机制,对比分析了不同负荷条件下好氧颗粒对污染物的去除、形体结构和群体感应现象.结果表明,好氧颗粒污泥具有同时耐受高碳氮负荷的能力,当进水COD负荷为12.9 kg m-3 d-1时去除率为90%以上,NH4+-N负荷为0.455 kg m-3 d-1时去除率在80%以上.随着负荷的提高,颗粒的粒径不断减小,这可能增强颗粒的传质传氧作用.在进水负荷COD 8.9-10.9 kg m-3 d-1、NH4+-N 0.355-0.455 kg m-3 d-1时,AI-2活性较强,微生物之间相互交流比较活跃,并且保持较好的COD和NH4+-N去除效果.好氧颗粒污泥内部的AI-2活性高于出水溶液.研究表明,群体感应可能在好氧颗粒污泥同时耐受高碳氮负荷中发挥着重要的作用.     

Cu~(2 )对长江华溪蟹的毒性作用

人工控制条件下 ,初步研究了长江华溪蟹 (Sinopotamonyangtsekiense)对Cu2 的毒性反应 ,并探讨其作为环境监测生物的可能性 .结果表明 ,随浓度的升高、浸药时间的延长 ,Cu2 对长江华溪蟹的毒性增大 .Cu2 的毒性与长江华溪蟹性别也有密切关系 ,雄性个体对Cu2 的忍耐度低于雌性个体 ;对达到性成熟的长江华溪蟹个体 ,Cu2 毒性与其大小无明显相关性 .温度影响Cu2 对长江华溪蟹的毒性 ,较高温度 (18℃ )下的毒性高于较低温度 (14℃ )下的毒性 .图 3表 1参 16     

亚硝酸盐急性胁迫对中华绒螯蟹幼体相关免疫指标和应激蛋白(HSP70)表达的影响

为探讨亚硝酸盐急性胁迫对中华绒螯蟹机体免疫力的影响,以及机体在胁迫过程中的应对策略,分别测定了幼蟹(平均体重3.25 g)在10、20、30、40 mg L-1亚硝酸盐暴露组和对照组中血细胞总数(Total hemocyte counts,THC)、超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase,SOD)活力、丙二醛(Malodiadehyde,MDA)含量以及热休克蛋白70(Heatstress protein 70,HSP70)表达量在受胁迫2 d内的动态变化.结果表明:1)低浓度亚硝酸盐(10 mg L-1)胁迫组THC在胁迫3 h时显著高于对照组,肝胰腺中SOD活性在胁迫3 h和6 h时亦显著提高,表现出一定的"毒物兴奋效应".2)但随着暴露时间的延长和亚硝酸盐浓度的升高,幼蟹THC减少,肝胰腺SOD活性下降,而MDA含量升高.3)对照组中有少量的HSP70表达.幼蟹经10、20 mg L-1亚硝酸盐处理后,鳃组织中HSP70表达量在胁迫6 h后达到最大,而经30、40 mg L-1亚硝酸盐处理后,HSP70表达量在胁迫3 h后达到最大.各浓度组所诱导的HSP70最大表达量与水中亚硝酸盐的浓度呈正相关.以上结果说明亚硝酸盐胁迫可通过加剧组织中脂质过氧化的方式导致机体免疫力下降,肝胰腺中MDA的含量变化可作为亚硝酸盐胁迫的有效评价指标之一,而HSP70表达量的变化可作为早期预警指标应用于亚硝酸盐胁迫评价中.图2表1参36     

悬沙胁迫下三疣梭子蟹仔蟹的RNA/DNA比率和DNA损伤

为探讨悬沙对仔蟹的影响,以三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)仔蟹为受试生物,研究不同悬沙浓度(0、50、100、500、1 000和5 000 mg L-1)下I期仔蟹的成活率、RNA/DNA比率和DNA损伤情况.结果表明,低浓度悬沙(≤500 mg L-1)对仔蟹无明显影响,高浓度悬沙(≥1000 mg L-1)对仔蟹的成活率几乎无影响,但会延迟仔蟹蜕壳变态的时间,降低RNA/DNA比率,导致彗星细胞的拖尾率、尾长和尾矩显著上升.可见,RNA/DNA比率和DNA损伤指标能够有效评估悬沙对仔蟹的影响.     

混合耐冷菌群的筛选、鉴定及其对生活污水净化的效能

以崇礼污水处理厂SBR反应池活性污泥和黑山湾湿地底泥为菌源,分离筛选出7株在10℃培养条件下生长性能良好的耐冷菌株,以生活污水为处理对象,分别测定单株菌对有机物、NH+4-N和NO-3-N的去除能力.结果表明,分离筛选出从属于假单胞菌属3株;从属于黄杆菌属2株;从属于耶尔森菌属和不动杆菌属各1株.在7株耐冷菌中,NL-1对COD的去除率为47%,NL-2对NH+4-N去除率为73%,NL-4对NO-3-N去除率达到91%.     

大气CO2浓度增高对农田土壤硝化活性的影响

利用中国唯一的FACE(Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment,开放式空气CO2浓度增高)平台,研究大气CO2浓度增高对农田土壤硝化活性的影响.位于无锡的中国稻麦轮作农田生态系统FACE试验平台于2001年6月开始运行,设有FACE与Ambient(普通空气对照)2个处理,FACE区CO2浓度比Ambient区高200 μmol·mol-1,每个处理含低氮与常氮2个氮肥水平.在轮作水稻和小麦各3季之后,发现大气CO2浓度增高下,常氮水平上土壤的NO3--N质量分数降低,NH4+-N质量分数增高;而低氮水平上土壤的NO3--N质量分数增高,NH4+-N质量分数没有显著差异.然后分别在土壤样品中加入NH4+-N,好气培养42 d后通过测定土壤中的NO3--N、NO2--N总质量分数来研究土壤的硝化活性.结果显示,不管在CO2浓度增高下还是对照条件下,增加氮肥施用量均增强了土壤的硝化活性;且与对照相比,大气CO2浓度增高在常氮水平上降低了土壤的硝化活性,在低氮水平上却增强了土壤的硝化活性,说明大气CO2浓度增高对农田土壤硝化活性的影响与N肥供应水平有关.     

退耕土壤的碳、氮固存及其对CO2、N2O通量的影响

采样分析陇中黄土高原地区农田退耕种植苜蓿3 a、5 a、8 a后0～5、5～10、10～20 cm土层土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、活性有机碳(SAOC)及矿质氮(NO3-N、NH4-N)含/储量的变化,并用静态箱-气质联用法对样地的COO2、NO2O排放通量进行了测定,研究碳氮变化对土壤CO2、N2O排放通量的影响.结果表明:(1)SOC、TN基础含量很低的贫瘠土壤退耕后表现出明显的碳、氮固存效应,有很强碳、氮固存潜力.与未退耕休闲农田相比,退耕3 a、5 a、8 a后0～20 cm SOC储量分别提高了9.12%、20.18%、34.39%,SOC平均固存率分别为0.17、0.23、0.25mg/(hm2·a).TN储量在5～10、10～20 cm增加不明显,在0～5 cm退耕3 a、5 a、8 a后储量分别提高14.29%,35.71%和64.29%,各退耕年限0～20 cm TN平均固存率均为0.2 mg/(hm2.a);(2)退耕后各年限草地土壤活性有机碳(SAOC)含量有所增加,但各层含量变化不明显,其增加量远小于SOC的增加,说明退耕初期阶段积累了较多的土壤惰性碳;NO3-N含量增加明显,0～5、5～10 cm土壤各退耕年限含量达5%的显著性差异,但退耕前后NH4-N含量无明显变化.(3)土壤CO2通量与SOC含量、SAOC含量、TN含量及N2O通量显著正相关;N2O通量与SOC含量、矿质氮含量及CO2通量显著正相关.说明在环境因素稳定的条件下,退耕后土壤碳、氮含量的增加会导致CO2、N2O排放的加剧,表现出大气CO2、N2O的"源"效应.     

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.     

Importance of greater interdisciplinarity and geographic scope when tackling the driving forces behind biological invasions

Invasive non-native species are important drivers of ecosystem change, yet the driving forces of biological invasions themselves are poorly understood. Such information is essential to ensure policies focus on the most relevant drivers, and that future scenarios capture the full range of potential outcomes for invasive non-native species. I carried out a bibliometric analysis of articles published from 2000 to 2020 that address either invasive non-native species or biodiversity and ecosystem services and that also mention 1 or more drivers of ecosystem change. I examined 5 indirect drivers (demographic, economic, governance, sociocultural, and technological) and 6 direct drivers (climate change, invasive non-native species, land-use or sea-use change, natural hazards, pollution, and resource extraction). Using the Web of Science core collection of citation indexes, I undertook searches of article titles and keywords and retrieved 27,462 articles addressing invasive non-native species and 110,087 articles dealing with biodiversity or ecosystem services. Most research to date on biological invasions as well as on biodiversity and ecosystem services has focused on anthropogenic direct drivers of ecosystem change rather than indirect drivers. Yet currently, less than 18% of articles addressing biological invasions examined drivers of ecosystem change, a similar level to that found over 20 years ago for biodiversity or ecosystem services. Knowledge of the drivers of biological invasions is limited, emphasizes tractable drivers over those that require an interdisciplinary approach, and is biased toward developed economies. Drivers generally deemed important for biological invasions, such as governance and resource extraction, accounted for less than 2% of research effort. The absence of a systematic understanding of the forces that drive invasive non-native species and how they interact means that attempts to mitigate or forecast biological invasions are likely to fail. To address biological invasions requires a much better orientation of national and international research on drivers in relation to both their actual importance as well as their policy relevance.     

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.     

Mitigating the effects of climate change on the nests of sea turtles with artificial irrigation

For sea turtles, like many oviparous species, increasing temperatures during development threaten to increase embryonic mortality, alter offspring quality, and potentially create suboptimal primary sex ratios. Various methods are being implemented to mitigate the effects of climate change on reproductive success, but these methods, such as breeding programs, translocations, and shading, are often invasive and expensive. Irrigation is an alternative strategy for cooling nests that, depending on location, can be implemented relatively quickly and cheaply. However, multiple factors, including ambient conditions, nest substrate, and species characteristics, can influence irrigation success. Additionally, irrigation can vary in duration, frequency, and the volume of water applied to nests, which influences the cooling achieved and embryonic survival. Thus, it is critical to understand how to maximize cooling and manage risks before implementing irrigation as a nest-cooling strategy. We reviewed the literature on nest irrigation to examine whether artificial irrigation is feasible as a population management tool. Key factors that affected cooling were the volume of water applied and the frequency of applications. Embryonic responses varied with species, ambient conditions, and the timing of irrigation during development. Nest inundation was the key risk to a successful irrigation regime. Future irrigation regimes must identify clear targets, either primary or adult sex ratios, that maximize population viability. Monitoring population responses and adjusting the irrigation regime in response to population characteristics will be critical. Most studies reported on the manipulation of only one or two variables, further research is required to understand how altering multiple factors in an irrigation regime influences the cooling achieved and embryonic responses.     

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.     

Positive and Negative Effects of a Threatened Parrotfish on Reef Ecosystems

Species that are strong interactors play disproportionately important roles in the dynamics of natural ecosystems. It has been proposed that their presence is necessary for positively shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems. We evaluated this hypothesis using the case of the world's largest parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), a globally imperiled species. We used direct observation, animal tracking, and computer simulations to examine the diverse routes through which B. muricatum affects the diversity, dispersal, relative abundance, and survival of the corals that comprise the foundation of reef ecosystems. Our results suggest that this species can influence reef building corals in both positive and negative ways. Field observation and simulation outputs indicated that B. muricatum reduced the abundance of macroalgae that can outcompete corals, but they also feed directly on corals, decreasing coral abundance, diversity, and colony size. B. muricatum appeared to facilitate coral advancement by mechanically dispersing coral fragments and opening up bare space for coral settlement, but they also damaged adult corals and remobilized a large volume of potentially stressful carbonate sediment. The impacts this species has on reefs appears to be regulated in part by its abundance—the effects of B. muricatum were more intense in simulation scenarios populated with high densities of these fish. Observations conducted in regions with high and low predator (e.g., sharks) abundance generated results that are consistent with the hypothesis that these predators of B. muricatum may play a role in governing their abundance; thus, predation may modulate the intensity of the effects they have on reef dynamics. Overall our results illustrate that functionally unique and threatened species may not have universally positive impacts on ecosystems and that it may be necessary for environmental managers to consider the diverse effects of such species and the forces that mediate the strength of their influence. Efectos Positivos y Negativos de un Pez Loro Amenazado Sobre Ecosistemas Arrecifales     

Form-specific fragances fromOphrys insectifera L. (Orchidaceae) attract species of different pollinator genera. Evidence of sympatric speciation?

Two closely related forms ofOphrys insectifera were observed in the field to attract different pollinator species selectively.O. i. ssp.insectifera attracted males of two species ofArgogorytes (Sphecidae, Hymenoptera Aculeata) andO. i. ssp.aymoninii attractedAndrena combinata males (Andrenidae, Apoidea, Hymenoptera Aculeata). A third form,O. aff.i. ssp.insectifera, attracted none of these three species. Volatile compounds from flowers and inflorescences of the three forms (originating from Öland, Sweden, and Aveyron, France) were collected, using entrainment, enfleurage, and solvent extraction techniques, and identified by gas chromatography — mass spectrometry. Scent differences between the three forms were confirmed in the amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C₁₁–C₁₉), methyl esters (C₁₄–C₁₈), short chain aliphatic 1-alcohols (C₆–C₁₂), and monoterpene alcohols (C₁₀).     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

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.